AIKEN, S.C. - A memorial service for Mr. W. Franklin Howard will be held Friday, February 15, 2002, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jon VanDeventer officiating. Interment will be private in Bethany Cemetery. Mr. Howard, 83, of Dibble Road, Aiken, beloved husband of Eloise McNeely Howard, died Tuesday, February 12, 2002, at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. He was born January 6, 1919, in Catawba Springs, N.C. to Cleveland and Antha Sigmon Howard. He had lived in Aiken since 1947 and was the manager for Belk Department Store for 40 years before retiring in 1986. Mr. Howard was a past president of Palmetto Golf Club where he was a member since 1955. He was inducted into the USC-Aiken Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992 due to his support of athletics in Aiken. He was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Pacer Club and former member of Aiken Rotary Club. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include a daughter, Linda Ingram, Hilton Head; a son William F. Howard, Jr., Aiken; a brother, W.W. Howard, West Columbia; a sister, Alice Cooper, Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 224 Barnwell Ave., N.W., Aiken, SC 29801 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, SC Chapter, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29204. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Rivers Funeral Home, Inc., 715 East Pine Log Road, Aiken, S.C.

The Augusta Chronicle February 14, 2002