Webster "Frankie" Franklin Hepler

Frankie Hepler passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Carteret Health Care, Morehead City. He was born the youngest of three, on June 2, 1956 to the late Lucy and Coley Hepler. 

Frankie’s father, Coley, died suddenly when he was two years old and his mother remarried, Chris Haila, a few years later. Frankie’s younger days were spent growing up between his home in Morehead City and his Aunt Mable’s home in Crab Point, riding horses, boating and water skiing in Bogue Sound with his cousins and life long friends. When he received a 13-ft Boston Whaler for his birthday, his older brother, Irvin, took it for a test run to make sure that the boat was “unsinkable” as advertised, before turning Frankie loose with it. Frankie spent every free minute on Shackleford Banks or water skiing with friends and especially his sister Kay, who was often known for her ability to slalom ski through the ocean from Beaufort Inlet to Cape Lookout. After high school, Frankie earned his Captain’s license and continued his love of the water, operating and maintaining several yachts in Spooners Creek Marina. Frankie loved sharing his good life with his friends whether he was enjoying Blue Grass music with his camping buddies or cooking a pig for the neighborhood to enjoy.

Frankie’s pride and joy, his son Chris, was born in 1986, and he followed in his father’s footsteps with a deep love of the water. Frankie took pride in teaching him every step of the way. It wasn’t long before Chris’s daughter, Carolina, would steal his heart. Frankie loved being “Pappy” as his granddaughter called him and he spent as much time as he could babysitting and riding her around in his golf cart, usually playing Beach Music loudly and greeting everyone they passed.

He was pre-deceased by: his wife, Anne, who passed away in June, 2023; his mother, Lucy Russell Hepler Haila; father, Coley Hepler; stepfather, Chris Haila; and great-nephew, Blake O. Hepler.

Those remaining to cherish his memory are his son, Christopher Styron Hepler, and granddaughter, Carolina Sweet Hepler; stepson, Justin Humphries (Jessica); brother, Irvin Hepler (Gigi); sister, Kay Hepler (Mike); Nieces and Nephews: Irvin “Buddy” Hepler Jr, Alex Hepler (Kathy), Melissa Lea, Preston Lea, and many great-nieces and nephews. Frankie’s big personality and welcoming smile will surely be missed by all who knew him. 

 Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory of Morehead City, NC.