William "Dub" Franklin

Santa Anna, Texas - William B. Franklin (Dub), 83 died June 2 2015 at his home in Santa Anna following a brief illness.

He leaves his wife of 18 years, Venessa (Wright) Franklin; son, Ronald Franklin and wife Daphne Franklin; daughters, Verlinda Ferreira, Brenda Funez, Meada Green and Sonia Fields; step-daughter, Paula (Harris) Buckley; step-sons, Anthony (Gray) Franklin, Josh and Adam LaPin; brothers, Donald Franklin and wife Nancy Franklin, Tom Elder and his partner Patricia Luna; sisters, Bonnie Owen and Willie George; 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sisters Wynell Patton and Glenda Ferreira.

Dub was born in O'Donnell, Texas 1932 to William Benjamin Franklin and Opal Fay Taylor Franklin. In his early teen years, his parents moved the family to California, as they were migrant workers harvesting the fruits and vegetables from the San Joaquin Valley and as far north, to the state of Washington.

In his early 20's, he worked for Kroehler Furniture in Pittsburg, California assembling and upholstering furniture. Music was Dub's first love and he left the 9 to 5 job to pursue his musical ambitions and formed a band that he named "Dub and the Naturals." Dub and his band played at many clubs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

At the end of 50's decade he took his band to Reno, Nevada Area. Notable saloons in which he successfully entertained fans with his Country and Western style music, The Bucket of Blood in Virginia City and The Branding Iron in Sparks, Nevada.

By the mid 60's he eventually curtailed his professional music career only playing weekends while pursuing commercial fishing, starting up his own fishing company harvesting fish bait in the California Delta waterways and the San Pablo Bay.

Before the decade of the 70's came to a close, Dub made his way back to Texas, to the small town of Santa Anna where his mother's roots were established in the late 1800's. While in Texas, Dub worked in the oil fields on the rigs as a roughneck and other miscellaneous jobs.

In 1986 Dub bought a historic opera house in downtown Santa Anna that was built in 1887. The previous owner had converted the old building into a restaurant. After Dub purchased the building, he continued to operate the restaurant, renaming it "Dubs Opera House." Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at his restaurant, his briskets and other meats were smoked in his replica six-shooter smoker complimented with his original BBQ sauce became well known throughout the state of Texas. The locals and travelers also called the restaurant the "Smoking Gun". In addition to his establishment, Dub entertained the patrons with his music and the music of his guest musicians.
After 24 years of the restaurant business, Dub retired in 2007. The "Smoking Gun" was moved to his home where he occasionally BBQ for his family and friends. He raised an annual vegetable garden each season, also planted several fruit trees, which he harvested the fruits and vegetables.
His family and the hundreds of friends that he made over the years will miss Dub. God Bless Dub. Peace and Love to our family and friends.

William "Dub" Franklin's Celebration of Life will be held at his home, 1501 Plainview Road, Santa Anna on Saturday evening, June 6th at 5:00 p.m. Viewing hours for Mr. Franklin are 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 5th at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 West Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas 76834.

A private burial service for Mr. Franklin will be held at O'Donnell, Texas.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.livingmemorials.com.