James William Franklin

AIKEN - Mr. James William Franklin, 85, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Aiken with the Reverend Dr. David Cozad officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Historic Bethany Cemetery. Mr. Franklin was born in Ridgeway, SC, a son of the late Reverend Benjamin Hallowell and Margaret Pearcy Franklin. He was an accountant for E.I. DuPont and worked at the Savannah River Plant for 28 years before retiring. He was also the founder of True Value Hardware, Aiken, having recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. He was a pioneer and visionary of downtown business, and was honored by being presented the 2009 SC On The Move Award by US Senator Jim DeMint. He served in the US Navy during WWII, graduated from the University of South Carolina, and was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church. He was a past member of the Jaycees, the Aiken Downtown Merchants Association, and the Aiken Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Franklin is survived by his two daughters, Lyanne Franklin (Elmer Detwyler, Jr.) Haislip and Brenda Franklin (Barry) Buchanan, both of Aiken; four grandchildren, Kaminer Haislip (Matt) Quinn of Charleston, Elmer Detwyler Haislip III of Aiken, Franklin Nicholson (Kendall) Buchanan and Anne Wesberry Buchanan both of Columbia; a sister, Anna Franklin Pace of Greensboro, NC. In addition to his parents, Mr. Franklin was preceded in death by his wife, Theodocia Martin Franklin. Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 224 Barnwell Ave., Aiken, SC 29801 Mr. Franklin's online guest book may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Thursday evening at Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James William Franklin, please visit our flower store.