William Franklin Sharp IV

William Franklin Sharp IV, 91, of China, Texas passed away on July 29, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m., August 4, 2021, at Davilla Cemetery in Davilla, Texas.


Born in Coxville, Tennessee, on May 14, 1930, he was the son of William Franklin Sharp III and Hayden Perry (Cox) Sharp. William was a U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War, where he served on a U.S. Navy Destroyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hayden Sharp; first wife, Laila Sharp; second wife, Robbie Sharp; and siblings, James Sharp and Joann Holliman.

He is survived by his son, Ted Sharp and wife Paula, of Montgomery; stepdaughter, Dana Carter, of China; grandchildren, John Sharp and wife Pam, Yusuf Sharp, Dacy Kirkman and husband Jason, Jay Carter and wife Angela; great-grandchildren, Sheridan Stroud and husband Reece, Sarah Sharp, Allie Kirkman, Drew Kirkman, and Pierce Carter.