WAYNESBORO Alvin C. Frank, of Waynesboro, passed away Sunday morning, December 1, 2013, at his residence. Mr. Frank, the son of Luther and Jessie C. Frank, and was born in Waynesboro on December 7, 1923, and graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1941. He most recently resided at 501 Oak Avenue in Waynesboro. He married his wife, Helen Roberts Frank in 1943. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife in July 2005; one daughter, Sandra LeMelle Frank Wooden on November 23, 2009; sisters, Rosalie Frank Shiflet, and Phyllis Frank Toman. Survivors include his brother, Carl H. Frank and his wife, Mae; nieces, Barbara Toman Bennett, Judy Shiflet Reid, Donna Frank Burns, and Kathrine Toman Crist; nephews, Robert Shiflet, and William Toman; son-in-law, Joe Wooden; very special friend, Deborah Richardson; and numerous grand-nieces and nephews. Soon after the outbreak of World War ll, Mr. Frank took employment with the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland, where he learned the shipbuilding trade while building cargo ships. Liberty ships were the workhorses of the Merchant Marine fleet carrying war supplies throughout the Atlantic and Pacific regions. He was drafted into the U. S. Navy in June 1944 but elected to forego his shipbuilding experience and instead attended the Navy radio operator school at Bainbridge, Maryland. From which he graduated in the top ten of his class. This qualified him to receive specialized radio training at Cheltenham, Maryland, after which he was assigned to the Pacific theater at the Wahiawa Radio Intercept station on Oahu, Hawaii, where he intercepted Japanese tactical radio communications. Such intercepts were instrumental in tracking down and sinking Japanese warships. He and other members of this operation were individually and, in person, awarded the Navy Unit Commendation by Admiral William Halsey, for their contributions to the Pacific War effort. At the end of WWll, Mr. Frank returned to Waynesboro, where he worked for Wilson Trucking Corporation for over two years, and was the Freight Claims Agent and Assistant Traffic Manager when he left to enter the FBI in May 1948. Mr. Frank commenced his employment with the FBI as a Radio Operator by capitalizing on his Navy radio operator training. After training numerous other FBI radio operators, and having completed the educational requirements, he was assigned to FBI headquarters as the Assistant Chief of the Telecommunications Section in 1950. He was later promoted to the position of Section Chief, a Senior Executive Service position, from which he retired in December 1978 with nearly 31 years if service. As Chief of the Telecommunications Section, he was responsible for all communications facilities (including in-house telephone systems, high-speed land-line, cryptographic, and Interoffice radio facilities) between the FBI's 57 Field Offices, over 400 Resident Agency Offices, and numerous Legal Attache's post in Embassy's throughout the world. Following his retirement Mr. Frank returned to Waynesboro, where he was known affectionately as "The Chief". He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Waynesboro Country Club and an avid golfer. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at Augusta Memorial Park by Pastor Karen Taylor. Memorial contributions may be made to the Waynesboro First Aid Crew, 201 W Broad Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980, Augusta SPCA 33 Archery Lane, Staunton, VA 24401 or Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1148 Ladd Road, Waynesboro, VA 22980