Woodrow Wilson Hartman, 107, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024, at Pendleton Manor in Franklin.
Born Nov. 17, 1916, on Smith Creek, he was the son of the late Henry Albert Hartman and Minnie Moyers Hartman Hottinger.
Mr. Hartman, like many in Great Depression-era rural America, completed his formal education through the eighth grade and attended one-room schoolhouses in Goshen and Zigler. Following his schooling, he dedicated himself to the beloved family farm, a cherished part of his life. In addition to farming, the many jobs of his early life included cutting firewood for Ernest and Tom Bowman, trapping and selling furs, and driving a school bus.
In 1953, he opened Hartman Furniture Store in Franklin with his wife, where they expanded their offerings over the years to include televisions, carpet, and appliances.
One of the original cable television pioneers, he brought cable TV to Franklin in 1957, making it the second community in the state to boast the new technology, even before it was available in places like Harrisonburg, Virginia. He sold the cable business in 1988 but continued to operate the furniture store until 2009. He served as a well-known fixture on Main Street for 56 years, retiring at the age of 92 to care for his wife.
He was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, where he served as an elder and was president of the Franklin branch for 12 years.
In addition to his affable nature and easy smile, he was well known for his love of gardening and entertaining friends and family with stories of the old days. The blooming of a thousand tulips in his Dogwood Lane yard each spring will be a beautiful reminder of this special man’s legacy.
On Dec. 18, 1943, he married his wife, Alice Branson Hartman of Lost River, who preceded him in death.
Surviving are his daughter, Bonnie Mitchell (Roger) of Upper Tract; a granddaughter, Heidi Hartman (Jon Diaz) of Charlotte, North Carolina; two nephews, Todd Hartman and Hugh Hartman (Anita), all of Franklin; and two nieces, Deborah Hanna of Scott Depot and Cheryl Null of Winfield.
He was also preceded in death by a son, William “Bill” Hartman, of Franklin; an infant son, James; siblings, Orlando Hartman of Scott Depot, and Alda Hartman of Franklin; and a daughter-in-law, Carole Hartman of Franklin.
Friends are invited to pay their respects from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Franklin, followed by interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the staff of Pendleton Manor for their compassionate and loving care during Mr. Hartman’s final months.
Memorials may be made to Pendleton Manor, PO Box 700, Franklin, WV 26807.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.
