GREENWICH TOWNSHIP
William "Billy" Franklin
 I was Born in February 1966 to Kitty and Elvon Franklin and raised in the Billingsport section of Paulsboro, NJ, with 5 older siblings, 4 brothers and 1 sister, Gene, Charles, Thomas, Julia and Michael Shawaryn. As a child, I attended Billingsport Elementary School, then proceeded onto and graduated from Paulsboro High School in 1984.  In High School, I primarily played football and baseball, and wrestled.
Upon graduating high school, I entered the U.S. Marine Corps, serving on active duty throughout this great county and abroad until 1988, then completed inactive reserve service until 1990. During my active service in the Marine Corps, I was selected, based upon my work ethic, and leadership principals, for meritorious promotions up through the rank of Non-Commisioned Officer. While serving in the Marine Corps, I was awarded several awards including Sea Service Deployment, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for participation in Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libyan Forces. Upon receiving my honorable discharge from active duty service, I returned to Paulsboro and began to pursue my career as a Law Enforcement Officer. While working full time I attended the Gloucester County Police Academy at night for the Borough of Paulsboro, after graduating from the Police Academy, I worked for the Borough part time, as a Class II Special Officer.  In 1994, I was hired as a full time patrol officer with the South Harrison Township Police Department, serving as the Departments first ever  Drug Abuse Resistance Educator.
In 1999, I was hired as a patrol officer with the Logan Township Police Department, where I presently serve as the departmental K-9 Officer, as well as the Juvenile Officer. I am also a certified Emergency Medical Technician.Â
Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to have worked with great people and have received numerous letters of commendations and awards for my job, including the prestigious Combat Cross given by the Gloucester County Awards Committee in 2004.
  I have resided in Gibbstown since November 1993, with my wife, Christine (nee Nothacker), who was raised in Gibbstown and graduated from Paulsboro High School (86), and Glassboro State College (Rowan). We have been blessed with two children, Alexis, and Luke.
Civic obligation is very important to me, so I began volunteering and coaching youth sports as a way to give back to my community. My father died of cancer, when I was 6 years old, and like many youths I began playing sports as an alternative to just sitting around.  I learned a lot from my youth sports coaches, men like Ed Savidge, John Manzoni, Joe Giovannitti, and Lou Damminger. They gave up their meals and family time to help me and other youths learn about sportsmanship, teamwork, and love of the game.  They also taught about life and consequences of poor decisions. They were friends and mentors, and provided a different type of discipline then you would receive at home,
while instilling leadership qualities that are still useful. I would like to think, that by coaching our youth, just maybe, I too could touch a life like they did mine.
           In Gibbstown, I began as an assistant coach with the youth football teams, coaching for the 130lb Falcons, alongside Carmel Morina, and Anthony Knestaut, for several years, winning 2 TCMFL Championships during that time. As my children arrived, I stopped for a few years, then returned to the football field briefly, before switching over to coaching girls youth softball. I have previously held the office of Vice President of Gibbstown softball, and am currently still an active member of the organization serving as a head coach. I am also currently serving as an assistant coach of minor league baseball.Â
Presently I am serving as a Trustee and Sunday school teacher at Clonmell United Methodist Church, and belong to several civic organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Marine Corps League.Â
