Wilbur "Will" Randolph Franklin

August 17, 1935 - February 25, 2022

Wilbur “Will” Randolph Franklin, 86, of West Point, Virginia and formerly of Chester, Virginia passed away on February 25, 2022 at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Will was born to the late John R. Franklin and Almarine Montgomery Franklin in 1935 on the third floor of the Cheswick House currently located on Three Chopt Road Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Hermitage High School in Henrico County and continued his education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute on June 7, 1959. His career path included several companies with the last being AMG-Legg which took him to several countries and continents while working on tobacco processing machinery that he enjoyed tremendously. He enjoyed every minute of life and relished in God’s gift of beautiful sunsets and long hot summer days that he considered post card picture perfect. His definition of winning the lottery was enjoying a bushel of crabs and drinking lots of sweet tea or Dr. Pepper while in the company of family and friends or strangers. Will is survived by his wife of 40 years Deborah (Mickey) Belcher Franklin and his former wife Barbara Anderson Franklin along with many cousins and friends. His beloved memory will remain in the hearts of his children Randy (Leann) Franklin, Jason (Shannon) Hill, Heather (Pete) Demarest, Willa (Marty) Oker, Twyla (James) Jacobsen, his sister Betty Lee (Charlie) Hardesty and ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will be cremated according to his wishes and a life celebration will be at a later date.