Obituary of William Karl Franz

William Karl Franz was born on February 9, 1937 in Freeport, Illinois to Karl John Franz and Elta Josephine (Balles) Franz. He was a lifelong Musician and served on the Fire Department while in Freeport a job he truly loved. In 1965 he came to Florida with his band “The Fabulous Freeport 3” and played Dixieland Music in the Daytona Beach area which led to a permanent move to Brevard County In 1967 with his wife Janice and three children; Debbie, John & Cindy. Still playing music he eventually formed “Bill Franz and the Moonlighters” as he became a business owner during the day. He also formed several other groups during his 60 year career his favorite being “The Riverboat Gang” which played on the Gatsbys Dockside Riverboat for several years. Bill was a Catholic, married the woman he chased since the 8th grade, loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchild very much. He taught them everything he knew as well as passed his love of music, the land and animals to each of them. He was welcoming to everyone he met and touched many lives through his gift of music which was shared all up and down the Space Coast. He would always say “bring your friends, and bring your enemies; they may be friends of mine”. He leaves behind 2 daughters; Deborah Ann (William) Thiel, Cynthia Sue (Joseph) Lang, a son John Karl Franz, 3 grandchildren; Jana Renee (Brint) Bauer, Occo Nicole Lang, Ryan William Lang and one great grandchild Dawson Matthew Bauer. Bill passed away on Saturday September 28, 2019 and will be greatly missed by his family as well as everyone who knew and loved him. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2019 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church 1940 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Merritt Island, FL follow by a celebration of life at Kiwanis Island Pavilion.