William Franklin Preskitt

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He built such a beautiful life.

William Franklin Preskitt, born in Cataula, GA, spent his life earning many other names and titles - not the kind that came from a diploma or institution, but the kind earned through experience, from working elbow to elbow with a friend, or from the sweet voice of a grandchild.

Some knew him as Bill, Billy, Slim, Honey, Dad, or Papa San, and he answered to them all, however, his favorite title was Pawpaw.

He was a graduate of Jordan High School, a lover of catfish, fried chicken, watermelon with salt, Sudoku puzzles, cantaloupe with black pepper, green plums, little league baseball, Alabama football, deep sea fishing, and a pristine lawn. His homemade Boston Butts and boiled peanuts were legendary.

His faith guided his days as he grew at Britt David Baptist Church, became a deacon, and later joined the congregation of Bethesda Baptist Church. He was a man of prayer and a man never too proud to show his love, even becoming certified to officiate the wedding ceremonies for two grandsons.

His work included a four-year career in the United States Navy, where he served as an aviation mechanic. He would later retire from a career as a printing pressman at the Ledger-Enquirer. He would go on to create a career as a home builder, not to be confused with a house builder, as he raised each wall to host a family, not just furniture. Throughout his life, he put his strong hands to work in each job or task, always making what he built stronger, better, and more reliable.

Each of these jobs was a fitting role for a man born with the ability to understand how things worked—and an even greater ability to figure out how to fix them when they didn’t.

Working alongside him on a carpentry project meant you were bound to walk away having learned a thing or two. Maybe it was a colorful joke, or perhaps some of his sage wisdom:

“I can’t see it from my house.”

“Keep your nose clean.”

Or the one that captured his perfectionism best:

“Measure twice, cut once.”

His measurements and mental math were so accurate that leftover lumber from his projects might amount to little more than a shim. He whittled every usable fiber from the resources he had, wasting almost nothing and finding a way to make each project work masterfully.

What a fitting metaphor for the way he lived his life.

He measured carefully, and he built thoughtfully—whether it was his own home, his family, his legacy, or even the very pathways his body formed as collateral vessels around the blockages in his heart, sustaining him for many years beyond what medicine predicted.

He built machines. He built homes. He built a family.

He built such a beautiful life.

The construction he held most pride for was undoubtedly his family. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Rebecca “Becky”, and his five daughters: Sharon Thigpen (Scott), Robin Deardeuff (Jim), Barbara Martin (Scott), Jennifer Glines (James), and Lauren Hall (Brian).

He was Pawpaw to twelve grandchildren: Leslie Baggett (Jason), Meghan Mock (Matt), Scotty Thigpen, Mallory White (Blake), Cody Lance (Whitney), Matthew Lance (Miranda), Hunter Preskitt (Alicia), Brandon Hall, Caleb Stone (Madison), Bailee Hunter-Hall (Hank), Charlotte Hall, and Mary Morgan Hall.

His legacy grew another generation through his great-grandchildren: Maxx, Truett, McKenzie, Bryce, Mayleigh, Charleigh, Henry, Lawson, Michael, William, Sawyer, and soon-to-be-born Evangeline.

He remained a steadfast presence to beloved sisters-in-law Connie Adamson (Ernie) and Penny Coffey, precious nieces and nephew Cathy, Carrie, and Jake, as well as numerous neighbors and friends accrued throughout his days. His sweet Schnauzer, Izzy, will miss naps with him the most.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Thomason Lawson, Dewey Lawson, and John Preskitt, his siblings and their spouses, John “Buddy” Preskitt (Laverne) and Eleanor Taft (Bobby), as well as his first wife and mother of two daughters, Mary Alice Cannon Pathanos.

Those who loved him will miss his humor and quick wit, his expertise, his work ethic, his hugs, and the unmistakable laughter of Pawpaw.

His work on this side of heaven may be finished, but don’t think for a moment that he isn’t closely supervising projects as you build your own life. He, no doubt, has feedback to offer.

So, whatever you’re building, be sure to use your materials wisely and always measure twice and cut once.

A memorial service officiated by Reverend Mickey Adams will be held at Piney Grove Baptist Church, Tuesday, September 29th at 2:30 pm EST with visitation immediately following.

Piney Grove Baptist Church - 20 Georgia Highway 315, Fortson, GA 31808

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local food bank or the Harris County Humane Society.

Harris County Humane Society - https://humanesocietyofharriscounty.networkforgood.com/projects/56494-donate-to-change-lives