Franklin Delano Wilson
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Franklin Delano Wilson, Ph.D., the William H. Sewell-Bascom Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, passed on December 22, 2020, at his home in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. He was 78.
Franklin was born on September 3, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, the second of six children to parents, Ollie Lee and Ernest Wilson, Sr. His siblings included: brothers, Ernest, Jr., James, Truman, and Richard; and sister, Carol Ann. Franklin graduated from Parker High School.
He attended Miles College, a historically Black college, in Fairfield, Alabama. He was active in several organizations, including Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., initiated Sigma Chapter. In 1964, Franklin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. He began his teaching career as a Sociology Instructor at Grambling State University from 1965-1966.
From 1966 to 1969, Franklin served in the U.S. Army. He was promoted to Lieutenant and served as Infantry Commander in Vietnam. In recognition of his leadership and bravery, Franklin received several medals and commendations, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Washington State University in Pullman, Washington from 1971 to 1973, where he earned his Master of Arts, a Ph.D., and completed Post-Doctoral studies in Sociology.
A preeminent scholar and researcher, Franklin graced the University of Wisconsin-Madison for over four decades. He was awarded the William H. Sewell-Bascom Professorship in recognition of his scholarship and service. Beginning in 1973, Professor Wilson was on the research staff of the Institute for Research on Poverty and became a member of the Executive Committee in 1994. Among other responsibilities, he served as Chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies and the Department of Sociology, and as Director of the Center for Demography and Ecology. He was Co-Editor with Professor Charles Camic of the American Sociological Review, the flagship journal of the American Sociological Association from 2000-2003.
Franklin was equally passionate about family and community. His first marriage to Julia Viltz produced two beautiful daughters, Rachel and Chareese. In a leap for gender equality for Black men, Franklin became a charter member of Jack and Jill, Madison. He also was a charter member of 100 Black Men of Madison. It was at the University where he would meet his beloved second wife and soul mate, Marion Brown. They married in 1986 and formed a blended family. He loved his extended family and never missed their events.
Despite starting life from humble beginnings, he excelled as an academician at one of the top universities in the nation. A gifted teacher, adviser, and mentor, he challenged students to always strive for excellence. He strongly believed that it was important to create pathways for underrepresented students to gain access to a college education.
Franklin maintained a never-ending quest for knowledge, a sense of joy and a thirst for life that others found inspiring, despite his numerous medical and physical challenges. He will be fondly remembered for his love of politics, generous spirit, hearty-laugh, and quick wit.
Franklin D. Wilson leaves to mourn his passing his wife Marion; daughters Rachel Wilson and Chareese Wilson; grandchildren Cameron and Ciera; two brothers, Ernest Jr. and Richard (Florell); his sister, Carol Ann Sievers; mother-in-law Odessa Brown; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and an abundance of friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents Ollie Lee and Ernest Wilson, Sr. and two brothers, James (Inez) and Truman (Anna).
The family thanks the doctors and health care professionals for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Franklin D. Wilson to Miles College (https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=milescollege&id=18), Office of Institutional Advancement, 3500 Myron Massey Boulevard, Fairfield, AL 35064); or to the Franklin Wilson - Great People Scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (supportuw.org). A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For more information and to share your memories, please go to www.cressfuneralservice.com
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
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