Mr. Byron Woodward Franklin, 90, a resident of Autumnfield, passed away on March 21, 2012, at Vidant Pungo Hospital.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath and will be conducted by Father Eric Zubler.

Byron Franklin was born in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1941. He served during World War II as a fighter pilot in the United States Marines 1942-1946. Franklin received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from MIT in 1949. His early work experience came from three Cambridge, Mass., firms: W. A. Bogner, Carl Koch and R.W. Kennedy. After active duty, he continued his service as a fighter pilot trainer in Kinston for a year in 1952.

In 1953, he started his own firm and designed many projects, including the Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in New Bern, St. Andrews Methodist Church in Raleigh and Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Research Triangle Park, both in 1969.

By 1970, he had an office in North Hills Mall in Raleigh. At some point, he moved to Washington and spent his last years in a retirement home in Bath. Mr. Franklin was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Bath.

Surviving family members are his daughter, Sandra K. Franklin of Raleigh; daughter-in-law, Betsy Hubbard of Wade, and two grandchildren, Patrick Franklin and Robert Franklin.

Condolences may be offered to the Franklin family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Belhaven is honored to be serving the Franklin family.