June 28, 2012 - William Wesley Franklin, 21, was shot and killed early Monday morning, June 25, 2012.

Franklin was a native and lifelong resident of Savannah. He graduated from Savannah Christian Preparatory School in 2010. At the age of 14, he began volunteering with the Thunderbolt Volunteer Fire Department and was two-time Junior Fire Fighter of the Year. Currently employed with the Isle of Hope Fire Department, he had a great passion for helping those in need and his smile was as big as his heart.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, camping and boating. He adored his family and friends and they adored him. He lived his life to the fullest and will be forever remembered as a hero. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, T.D. Reese and paternal grandparents, William Franklin and Betty Franklin.

Survivors include his mother, Sara Delane Reese and her partner, Tim High; father, James Wesley Franklin and his wife, Stephanie; sister, Jaymee Franklin; step-brothers, Justin Fulcher, Tyler Fulcher; maternal grandmother, Sherry Reese; maternal great-grandmother, Sara Jenkins, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2012 at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

Donations may be made in Wesley's honor to Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Rd., Savannah, GA 31406 or Thunderbolt Fire Department, 2702 Mechanics Ave., Thunderbolt, GA 31404.

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