HJ376: Celebrating the life of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D.


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 376
Celebrating the life of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 8, 2022
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2022

 

WHEREAS, William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., an esteemed physician and beloved member of the Hampton Roads community, died on February 27, 2021; and

WHEREAS, a native of West Point, William “Butch” Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., graduated from the former George Washington Carver High School in Newport News and attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship before transferring to the former Hampton Institute and earning bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and math in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin subsequently earned a degree in mortuary science in 1968 and a doctor of medicine degree from Meharry Medical College in 1972, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing a career in medicine; and

WHEREAS, after interning and serving as chief resident with Eastern Virginia Medical School, Butch Franklin opened his own internal medicine private practice with his friend and colleague, Dr. Melvin Green in 1975, where he attended to the health and well-being of residents of Hampton and Newport News for the next two decades; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his private practice, Butch Franklin was on the staff of the former Hampton General Hospital for 35 years, serving for a time as chief of staff and endearing himself to many through his concerned and compassionate approach to caring for his patients; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin’s dedication to his community was reflected in his willingness to treat patients pro bono or for whatever goods or services they could provide, allowing many to access care who would not be able to otherwise; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin later opened a separate practice in Hampton, where he finished out the remainder of his illustrious 45-year career in medicine, keeping his patients healthy well into the twilight years of their lives; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin was an accomplished athlete throughout his life who played basketball, football, and baseball in high school and college, was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League before opting to pursue a career as a medical doctor, and was a Peninsula Golf Association club champion in golf in his later years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his first wife, Patsy, Butch Franklin will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Adrienne; his children, Barrett, Brian, Beau, and Brandon, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., a cherished member of the Hampton Roads community whose tireless efforts as a physician touched countless lives; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 376

Offered March 4, 2022
Celebrating the life of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D.
Patron-- Price

WHEREAS, William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., an esteemed physician and beloved member of the Hampton Roads community, died on February 27, 2021; and

WHEREAS, a native of West Point, William “Butch” Franklin graduated from the former George Washington Carver High School in Newport News and attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship before transferring to the former Hampton Institute and earning bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and math in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin subsequently earned a degree in mortuary science in 1968 and a doctor of medicine degree from Meharry Medical College in 1972, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing a career in medicine; and

WHEREAS, after interning and serving as chief resident with Eastern Virginia Medical School, Butch Franklin opened his own internal medicine private practice with his friend and colleague, Dr. Melvin Green in 1975, where he attended to the health and well-being of residents of Hampton and Newport News for the next two decades; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his private practice, Butch Franklin was on the staff of the former Hampton General Hospital for 35 years, serving for a time as chief of staff and endearing himself to many through his concerned and compassionate approach to caring for his patients; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin’s dedication to his community was reflected in his willingness to treat patients pro bono or for whatever goods or services they could provide, allowing many to access care who would not be able to otherwise; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin later opened a separate practice in Hampton, where he finished out the remainder of his illustrious 45-year career in medicine, keeping his patients healthy well into the twilight years of their lives; and

WHEREAS, Butch Franklin was an accomplished athlete throughout his life who played basketball, football, and baseball in high school and college, was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League before opting to pursue a career as a medical doctor, and was a Peninsula Golf Association club champion in golf in his later years; and

WHEREAS, preceded in death by his first wife, Patsy, Butch Franklin will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife, Adrienne; his children, Barrett, Brian, Beau, and Brandon, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., a cherished member of the Hampton Roads community whose tireless efforts as a physician touched countless lives; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of William Alexander Franklin, Jr., M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.