Franklin L. Williams

Franklin L. "Papa Be Kind" Williams, 86, of Sioux City died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Merlin Schrad officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Franklin was born March 22, 1921, in Sioux City, to Albert and Viola (Gudgell) Williams. Frankie grew up in Sioux City, attended Sioux City Schools and graduated from Central High School. He served in the U.S. Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters during World War II.

He married Joyce Hilliard on March 21, 1944, in Los Angeles, Calif. She died April 2, 1998, in Sioux City. Frankie worked for Iowa Public Service (now MidAmerican Energy) for 22 years. He then owned and operated judo and karate schools for 28 years.

He played for the Sioux City Ghosts softball team and was called Frankie "Papa Be Kind." The team traveled across the nation in the summer months, playing fastpitch softball games against all-star teams. He was a Golden Gloves champion and sixth-degree black belt. Frankie sang in the Sioux City Choral Association and put on many concerts in the community. He was also a member of Decatur Lodge 14.

Survivors include two daughters, Marcia Morris and her husband, Olman Hairston of Staten Island, N.Y., and Marilyn Voss and her husband, Barry of Prior Lake, Minn.; a son, Newman Williams and his wife, Theresa of Broken Arrow, Okla; a sister, LaVeeda Banks of Mason City, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; a son, Frankie Williams; a nephew, Reginald Banks; three brothers; and a sister.

Pallbearers will be Mark Roth, Regan Banks, Michael and Jacob Chesher, Johnny Tureaud and Chay Thompson.