William A. "Bill" Franch Ionia William A. "Bill" Franch died on December 11, 2010. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn A Franch, a life long resident of Ionia Co., an avid horsewoman and school teacher in Ionia Co. for 30 years who died on July 3, 1992 and his father William Franch one time Sheriff of Ionia Co., who was a horseman who also served in the U.S. Cavalry. Bill was a resident of Annapolis, MD and always maintained close ties with Ionia. Bill was born on June 29, 1933 in Ionia and spent his early years growing up on the family farm on Palmer Road in Orleans. He attended the Orleans Township school which his mother and aunt attended. Bill graduated from Ionia High School in 1951 where he was active in high school debating and was President of his Senior class. He was an lifelong Detroit Tigers fan. Bill graduated from Central Michigan University in 1955 and was member of the state champion Debate team in 1955. In the years before his death he had been active in alumni activities at C.M.U. and served on the University Development Board. Following his graduation from C.M.U., Bill served his country for three years in the First Infantry Division after which attended law school in Baltimore, MD. Bill practiced law in Annapolis from 1963 until the time of his death specializing in trial litigation and was a senior partner in the law firm of Franch and Jarshow P.A.. Bill is best remembered for the annual holiday party which he hosted at the Blanchard House and for his commitment to the Democratic Party. Surviving are his cousins Georgeana and Oz Smith and Virginia Sherwood; good friend Barbara Furton and children Michelle (Michael) Vergara, Dennis (Jodi) Furton and Robin (Michael) Graft; stepchildren Colleen E. Stuart and Paul Z. Cummins III. The Funeral Service will be conducted by Rev. Karen Houddelson at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Main St.,Ionia. Interment will follow at Orleans Cemetery. The family will receive friends 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hall-Fowler Memorial Library or to First Presbyterian Church in memory of Bill. Online condolences may be made at wwwschraubenlehman.com.