Ruby - William “Bill” Franklin Hancock, 89, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005 surrounded by his family.

A private memorial service will be held Thanksgiving Day.

Memorials may be made to Ruby Baptist Church, Box 100, Ruby, S.C. 29741.

Born and reared in Ruby, Mr. Hancock was a son of the late Daniel Wallace Hancock and Effie Karen Stanley Hancock, and was the widower of Helen Gregory Hancock. He was a graduate of Clemson University, class of 1938. Mr. Hancock retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 26 years of service. He participated in the Allied Invasion of Normandy during World War II. Mr. Hancock received two Purple Hearts, Silver Star and Bronze Star with three Clusters for his Valor and Bravery on the field of battle.

After his military service, Mr. Hancock taught school in Salinas, Calif., for 27 years. He relocated at retirement to Shaver, Calif., where he and his family built a beautiful log cabin, which became his retirement home high on top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Mr. Hancock spent his final years gardening and attending his beloved grandchildren's scholastic and athletic events.

Surviving are six children Melanie Avoledo, William F. Hancock Jr., Noelle Cook, Gigi Imeson, Heather Zimmerman and Clark S. Hancock; 13 grandchildren; and his beloved dog Molly; three sisters and a brother, Julia Phelps of Falls Church, Va., Carolyn Johnson of Charlotte, N.C., Jeanie Gunning of Baton Rouge, La., and Alva B. Hancock of Atlanta, Ga.; and 29 nieces and nephews.