Celebrating almost a century

Wyoming author and columnist Bill Sniffin sent an email to this newspaper July 28 asking if we have anyone over 100 years old in our area, because he is planning to write a column on Wyoming’s oldest people.
I made a few calls and made an unofficial tally that there are three 99-year-olds living in Weston County, two females and one male, however I did reply that there could possibly be more of whom I am unaware. 
I have had the pleasure of interviewing two of these nonagenarians, who are impressive in their intellect and independence. Dr. Willis Franz spent the wealth of his 38-year career as a general practitioner serving this area, and he celebrates his 99th birthday at Weston County Health Services on Aug. 14 from 3-5:30 p.m. Dr Franz’s birthday ad was posted twice on the News Letter Journal facebook page and so far it has reached 3,863 people, had 831 engagements, 137 likes,  49 shares, and 19 comments. Needless to say, receiving this much attention puts Dr. Franz in one of NLJ’s most popular posts category. 
Last week we shared those posted comments with Dr. Franz when he stopped by our office on his way to Lions Club for lunch. Ginger Barton-Jordan wrote, “Dr. Franz was a very compassionate doctor. Such a wonderful man.” Sherry Schroepfer Kennedy’s last two sentences of her post read, “Dr. Franz was a gentle, compassionate healer. We were so fortunate to have him in our little town.” Julia Burrows-Behnke wrote, “Always so kind and he brings the nurses fresh grapes! Happy Birthday to you Dr. Franz!” Janie Sukut shared, “I was so fortunate to have Dr. Franz remove my tonsils at 18 years with only local anesthesia and also first doctor I worked with as a nurse 40 years ago. Love him. Happy Birthday Dr. Franz.” 
When asked, the retired doctor believes genetics has played a part in his longevity, and his advice to others is, “to keep moving.” In 2011, Dr. Franz shared that his greatest accomplishment is the satisfaction of being in a profession that helps people. And our community remembers and loves him for doing just that.