William Franklin Sumner (Lebanon)'s Obituary
William Franklin Sumner was born September 20, 1939, in Fort Mill, South Carolina to Ferman and Alma Bagwell Sumner. William passed away on Friday, October 7, 2022, in the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years and eighteen days.
On May 16, 1998, he was united in marriage to Frances “Fran” Lucas and they shared the last 24 years of laughter and memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Sumner.
William is survived by his wife, Fran Sumner, of the home; one daughter, Angelika Santiago of Baltimore, Maryland; two sons, Leo Sumner and his wife, Roberta of Stockton, Missouri and Stephen Sumner and his wife, Adair, of Falcon, Missouri; one brother, Cyrus Sumner of Fort Mill, South Carolina; three sisters, Patricia Fields, Brenda Sumner and Evone Sumner, all of Fort Mill, South Carolina; and two step-sisters, Debra and Pam, both of South Carolina; three step-sons, Timothy Brown and his wife, Stephanie of the state of Ohio, Erik Brown of Pleasant Valley, Missouri and Johnathan Brown of Lebanon, Missouri; eight grandchildren and six step-grandchildren as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
At the age of 17, William joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for over 20 years. He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War, and later went to Germany. He completed his service at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Following the Army, he was a truck driver for over 20 years and was a member of the Million Mile Club. He was a very hard worker. After retiring from the military, he eventually moved to Lebanon, Missouri to enjoy his retirement years. He always enjoyed talking with and meeting new people.
He enjoyed fishing in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. He loved his family dearly; they were the core of his life.
William will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Graveside services for William Sumner will be Friday, Oct. 14 at noon at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. A visitation will be held at Holman-Howe Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Wounded Warriors. Memorials may be left at the funeral home or by mailing a donation to Holman-Howe Funeral Home, 320 S. Adams Ave., Lebanon, MO 65536.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?
