Most Reverend William E. Franklin

The Most Reverend William E. Franklin, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Davenport, died Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Kahl Home, Davenport; having devoted his life to faithful service to the Catholic Church.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for His Excellency will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 17, 2026, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: Sacred Heart Cathedral YouTube . Burial will be in the Priest’s Circle at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Cathedral with a vigil service at 6 p.m. There will be additional visitation at the Cathedral on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until Mass begins. Memorials may be made to the Priests’ Aid Society or to the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Davenport.

Born on May 3, 1930, in Parnell, Iowa, Bishop Franklin was the sixth of seven children born to John F. and Matilda (Milholin) Franklin. He was baptized the day of his birth at St. Joseph Church in Parnell.

Bishop Franklin received his early education at Parnell Consolidated School and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Cedar Rapids. He continued his studies at Loras College in Dubuque, graduating in 1952, and completed his studies at Mount Saint Bernard Seminary in Dubuque.

He was ordained to the priesthood on February 4, 1956, at Saint Raphael Cathedral in Dubuque by Archbishop Leo Binz. His early ministry included serving as secretary to Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman, followed by assignments as associate pastor in Independence and Rowley, and later in Waterloo. He also served as a teacher and Director of Guidance at Wahlert High School in Dubuque.

Throughout his priesthood and years of service to the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Bishop Franklin held numerous pastoral and leadership roles, including pastorates in Fayette, Hawkeye, Gilbertville, and Waterloo, as well as Dean of the Waterloo Deanery and vicar general of the archdiocese.

On January 29, 1987, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Surista and Auxiliary Bishop of Dubuque, and was ordained a bishop April 1, 1987, with the Principal Consecrator being Most Reverend Daniel W. Kucera, O.S.B., Archbishop of Dubuque. On November 12, 1993, he was appointed the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport and was installed on January 20, 1994, at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

During his tenure as Bishop of Davenport, Bishop Franklin was known for his steady leadership, pastoral care, and deep commitment to the people of the diocese. He faithfully guided the diocese until his retirement on October 12, 2006. He had been a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Knights of Columbus 4th degree member of Assembly 260 and 3rd Degree member of the Joseph M. Kelley Council #15254, and was honored with a residence hall named after him at St Ambrose University (Franklin Hall) among many other recognitions.

He is survived by his sister, Elvarose Squires of Cedar Rapids, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: Vernon and Robert Franklin, Berniece Woodrum, Vera Crofter, and Harriet Farnham.