Phillip Edward Franz was born March 5, 1940 to Oswald Arthur Franz, Jr. and Elizabeth Hamlin Franz in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away June 12, 2023 in West Plains, Missouri. He married the love of his life, Nancy Lou Trickey, July 21, 1962.
Phillip grew up in Thayer where he became an Eagle Scout and star basketball player. He went on to play basketball for Quachita Baptist University. After college and getting married they settled back in Thayer, Missouri on the farm. He was probably happiest outside working with his turkeys and cows. 1976 was a turning point for Phillip and Nancy. Circumstances took them to the small community of Bay, Missouri. There he started his career in Poultry Trading. 1981 Phillip started his own company, Franz Foods, bringing him to West Plains, Missouri, where he lived out the rest of his life.
Phillip was a deacon at First Baptist Church and loved being a part of that family. From the post office to the grocery store he shared the gospel to anyone who would listen. He wanted everyone to feel the love of Christ the way he did. He was a true warrior for Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Elizabeth Franz and one grandson Peter Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, son Ward and wife Kristie, Sioux City, Iowa; daughter Rebekah Mitchell and husband Rodney, West Plains, Missouri; five grandchildren, Quinton Mitchell wife Lauren and sons, Auggie and Xander, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Christopher Mitchell wife Audrey, soon to be born William Peter, Nixa, Missouri and Elizabeth Mitchell, West Plains, Missouri ; Landon Franz, Ozark, Missouri, and Lauren Willis husband Chase, West Plains, Missouri.
Funeral services for Phillip will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in West Plains, Missouri. There will be visitation time from 1:00 p.m. until time of service.
Burial will be at Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
