William Barry Franke, 70, unexpectedly passed away at his home on Friday, December 29, 2023.
Barry was born on July 31, 1953, in Delaware County, PA. Son of William Franke and Joan Franke Tilton. During his childhood, he was an Eagle Scout and loved playing basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. He grew up all over Delco and ended up in Brookhaven, graduating from Sun Valley High School in 1971. Shortly after graduating, he served in the US Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, where he learned to become a great cook.
Following his honorable discharge in 1975, he started his “banking” career at Southeast National Bank, then Fidelity Bank. He spent 2 years at Temple University for Computer Science, which led him to 22 years of service at Deutsche Bank and 15 years at Hewlett-Packard. Barry retired in 2021 and spent his time enjoying the Phillies and Eagles games, dozing off in his favorite spot to an episode of Perry Mason, and waiting for a visit from his beloved grandchildren.
Barry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Diane Murray Franke of Newark, DE; his two daughters, Megan Tremain (Will) of Newark, DE and Samantha Walstrum (Phil) of Bear, DE; 5 grandchildren: Audrey, Nolan, Paxton, Skylar and Emilia; sister Susan Shrom of Ocean City, NJ; and brother Garry Tilton of Lewes, DE. Barry was preceded in death by his father, William Franke, mother Joan Tilton, and stepfather O. Lee Tilton.
The family asks you to join them on Saturday, January 27, 2024, for visitation at 1 pm, with a memorial service to follow at 2 pm, to be held at McCrery and Harra Funeral Homes, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808. The family will hold a private interment at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.
