Franklin D. Hulke

Franklin D. Hulke, 90, passed away peacefully at his residence on April 11, 2025. 

Frank was born in Waco, Texas on October 5, 1934. His parents, Paul and Mary Hulke (Hoedtkle), were of German and Czech descent. The family German surname was originally spelled Hoedtkle. After his father started his own business, he eventually decided to change the spelling of the family name to facilitate pronunciation.

Frank attended elementary school in Waco, and later graduated from Texas Military Institute (TMI) in San Antonio in 1953. After graduating from A&M with a degree in Industrial Ed., Frank served in the army and was stationed in Furth, Germany. When he returned to Waco, he began working for his parents at their new business, Westside Tile Company. Frank bought the company from his parents in 1965 and finally sold it in 2017. Even though Westside Tile Company no longer exists, Frank still enjoys spending most of his time at his former business office visiting with longtime friends and customers.

Frank, his wife Billie, and their daughter Kara (deceased 2012) always enjoyed the opportunity to travel over the Christmas Holidays to locations in Mexico, Europe, Central America, South America, and the Far East.

After many years of very satisfying work, great travels abroad, and now retirement, Frank and Billie live in Bosque County, TX. Frank enjoys his time in the country on his Kawasaki and visiting with his four-legged buddy, Rudy.

Frank and his wife are faithful supporters of Texas A&M, Baylor University, St. Jude Children’s Foundation and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Frank decided to donate his Aggie Ring to the Polly Wiseman Franklin ’86 Collection as a symbol of the privilege of being a graduate of Texas A&M and to add his Class of ’57 Ring to a lasting legacy for all Aggies.