William F. "Bill" Robinson, 80, of Franklin died Thursday, July 3, 2008, at Caritas Norwood Hospital following a long illness. He was the husband of Pauline M. (Craig) Robinson.
Born in Boston Aug. 10, 1927, a son of the late William F. and Mildred (Place) Robinson, he lived in Franklin since 1959.
Raised and educated in Arlington, Mr. Robinson was a retired engineer, having worked for the former Lewis and Shepard Mfg. Co. of Watertown and Mason Neelon Co. of Norwood.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the Meritorious Service Unit Citation. He was honorably discharged in November 1946.
An avid sports fan, he was a former Franklin Little League coach, youth basketball coach, equipment manager for the Franklin Rangeretts and longtime volunteer with Franklin Youth Hockey. He was a member of Sacred Heart Council Knights of Columbus and was a communicant of St. Mary's Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Pauline, which whom he observed their 50th wedding anniversary June 22, are his son, William E. of Franklin; two daughters, Cindy Wright and her husband, Ken, of Gales Ferry, Conn., and Susan R. Roycroft of Plainville; four grandchildren, William and Ken Wright of Connecticut and Courtney and Carl Roycroft of Plainville.
He was the brother of the late Mary Bishop.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral with military honors Monday, July 7, at 8:15 a.m. from Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage St. (www.franklinfuneral.com) with a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church at 9 a.m. Interment is in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Calling hours are Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations in his memory to Purr-fect Cat Shelter, P.O. Box 548, Medway, MA 02053, would be appreciated.