Celebrating the life of
William John French
March 15, 1950 - June 16, 2017
MSGT William John “Frenchie” French, Retired, age 67, died June 16, 2017 at his home in Savannah, Georgia.
He was born in Tacoma, Washington and spent the 60s in San Francisco before moving to Savannah. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was deployed in the Vietnam war as a helicopter crew chief while assigned to the 129th Assault Helicopter Company. Following his service in the U.S. Army, Frenchie transferred to the 283rd Combat Communications Squadron. Thirty eight years later, MSGT William J. French was honorably discharged from the United States AIr Force.
He was an avid adventurer and adrenaline junkie who loved world travel, scuba diving and motorcycle racing, finishing 5th in the Grand National Finals, 1982.
Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Janet K. French, brother Louis French, step sister Donna Dannamiller, numerous nieces and nephews and a million friends.
There will be a celebration of life service at Fox & Weeks, Islands Chapel Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at 11:00 am with a party to follow at Knights of Columbus, 3 West Liberty Street.
Remembrances to the American Cancer Society or the local Humane Society.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Janet, We will keep you lifted in prayer that GOD will give you Strength and ease your pain as the days, weeks, months move on. Frenchie is not one to be forgotten. You knew whenever he was in the room! His spirit for Life glowed. He will be missed by many.
- Kim Boulware, Guyton, Ga
Remember God's promise at Revelation 21:3&4 that he will soon eliminate sickness, death and wars forever. My condolences to The French Family.
- Jacqueline C., Loganville, GA
We are so sorry to read of the sad, untimely death of William and send our deepest sympathy. May the resurrection hope we share of seeing our loved ones again give you strength and comfort. With prayers The Dawes family
- C Dawes, Salem, Oh
Dear Janet, With deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. I think about all of your family and the bond we used to have as friends. My number is 661-9469. Please pass that along to Susie and ask her to call me. And Janet you call me if you ever need to talk! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love, Kaye
- Kaye Morris shuman, Faulkville, Ga
Dear Janet, With deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. I think about all of your family and the bond we used to have as friends. My number is 661-9469. Please pass that along to Susie and ask her to call me. And Janet you call me if you ever need to talk! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love, Kaye
- Kaye Morris shuman, Faulkville, Ga
Just saw this sweet man and his lovely wife, always had a smile on his face. Janet ii'm so sorry for your loss
- Michelle Ellis, Springfield , Ga
So sorry of the passing R.I.P Bill will never forget you!
- Jeff Taylor, Guyton, Ga
Dear sweet Jan , Tim and I are so sorry for your loss. Frenchie was truly one of a kind. He will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have met him. You are in our prayers, and hopefully your broken heart will heal soon. We are here if you need anything. ??
- Tina and Tim Moore, Eden, Ga
Dear Janet & Family So sorry for your lose. Blessing for you and your family. May GOD Comfort and give you strength in this time of need. Stephen (Buzz) Kaskel CMA Savannah chapter Glory Riders
- SSG. Kaskel, Stephen (Retired), Bloomingdale , Ga
Rest in peace my brother. Janet words come hard at times like this. Frenchie had a lot of friends who loved him I'm one of those.you will be missed brother.stickman
- jim oliver, pembroke, ga
I'm so glad I had an opportunity to reconnect with Bill recently. I am so sorry for your loss, Janet. I can recall many memories of of past conversations going as far back as Viet Nam. Bill seemed to enjoy life to the fullest and I am sure his new adventure will be just as rewarding. We will miss Bill tremendously.
- Arthur Fraps, Savannah, GA
Dear Janet & Family, We are so sorry for the loss of your husband. Our thoughts & prayers goes out to all of y'all. Please know we won't be attend to show our respect in the Honor of Frenchie. We know he isn't suffer anymore pain. Frenchie's flying highly up on the mountain! May God bless you & all. Friends for many years, Love always, Faye Morris Sanders & Ronnie Sanders
- Faye Morris Sanders & Ronnie Sanders , Bulloch County, Ga.
Janet, so sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
- Faye Allen, Savannah , Ga
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You, may His face shine upon you. Love you man
- Karl and Cathy Johnson, Bloomingndale, Ga
Slow hand salute to my 129th brother. Rest in peace!
- Jerry Heckathorn, Mercer, Pa
Janet,I'm so sorry to hear of you're loss.Love and prayers for God to comfort you and the family,sincerely,Susan.
- susan Gresham, Douglasville, Ga
This is very hard to find the words. I new frenchie for a long time. We served together in the 129th. He was one of the kindest, most upbeat guys I ever met. His job in life was showing people that life can be fun. He will be missed by so many. I will think of him often, and when I do he always brings a smile to my face. Bill I will miss you buddy.
- Bill Whelan, Bensenville, IL
Dearest Jan, I am so very sorry for the loss of your love!!! Mike and I are keeping you, your family and all who were friends with Frenchy in our prayers. He was much loved and will be missed!!
- Mike and Tina Lamson, Richmond Hill, Ga
While I barely knew Frenchie and Janet, our time was full of fun and laughter. We became fast friends. My heart breaks for Janet and family. Fly high Frenchie!!
- Sharon Barfield, Fortson, Ga
Jan, so very sorry for your loss. May God strength you during this difficult time, and give you peace.
- Lu & John Quibodeaux , Richmond Hill, Ga
Some losses are too hard to accept...this is one of them. Frenchie stayed in the hearts of all who met him. He will remain there now. L-G
- Judith Singer, Milwaukee, WI
Words escape me at this time. While we did not have an opportunity to visit Janet and Frenchie often the times we did always brought a smile to my heart. I loved bantering with him and friendly disputes. . Frenchie you will be missed terribly, and you will live on forever in our hearts. Janet my deepest condolences to you my friend. Please let me know if there's anything we can do. Love ya
- Bob Kelshaw & Pam Marken, Woodstoc, Ga
Frenchie was larger than life with a thirst for adventure only a few could match. His big and loving heart touched the lives of many. He will be missed by many, near and far. Rest In Peace.
- Elizabeth Thorne, Savannah, GA
Such a good man who meant so much to so many. He'll be missed dearly. I consider Frenchie part of my family. RIP Bill!!
- Balcom, Savannah , Ga
Such a good man who meant so much to so many. He'll be missed dearly. I consider Frenchie part of my family. RIP Bill!!
- Balcom, Savannah , Ga
Frenchie will be missed. He was a unique and loving man with a huge love of life. There are few words to express the depth of loss those who knew and loved him are feeling now. He will always remain alive in our hearts. My love prayers go out my dear lifelong friend Janet and the family of a man so loved..
- Kathy Rutledge, Savanbah, Ga
Bill was loved by all and will be missed greatly. Janice hope this finds you doing o.k.
- Don Moody, Hinescille, Ga
Janet, We will keep you lifted in prayer that GOD will give you Strength and ease your pain as the days, weeks, months move on. Frenchie is not one to be forgotten. You knew whenever he was in the room! His spirit for Life glowed. He will be missed by many.
- Kim Boulware, Guyton, Ga
Remember God's promise at Revelation 21:3&4 that he will soon eliminate sickness, death and wars forever. My condolences to The French Family.
- Jacqueline C., Loganville, GA
We are so sorry to read of the sad, untimely death of William and send our deepest sympathy. May the resurrection hope we share of seeing our loved ones again give you strength and comfort. With prayers The Dawes family
- C Dawes, Salem, Oh
Dear Janet, With deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. I think about all of your family and the bond we used to have as friends. My number is 661-9469. Please pass that along to Susie and ask her to call me. And Janet you call me if you ever need to talk! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love, Kaye
- Kaye Morris shuman, Faulkville, Ga
Dear Janet, With deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. I think about all of your family and the bond we used to have as friends. My number is 661-9469. Please pass that along to Susie and ask her to call me. And Janet you call me if you ever need to talk! My thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love, Kaye
- Kaye Morris shuman, Faulkville, Ga
Just saw this sweet man and his lovely wife, always had a smile on his face. Janet ii'm so sorry for your loss
- Michelle Ellis, Springfield , Ga
So sorry of the passing R.I.P Bill will never forget you!
- Jeff Taylor, Guyton, Ga
Dear sweet Jan , Tim and I are so sorry for your loss. Frenchie was truly one of a kind. He will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have met him. You are in our prayers, and hopefully your broken heart will heal soon. We are here if you need anything. ??
- Tina and Tim Moore, Eden, Ga
Dear Janet & Family So sorry for your lose. Blessing for you and your family. May GOD Comfort and give you strength in this time of need. Stephen (Buzz) Kaskel CMA Savannah chapter Glory Riders
- SSG. Kaskel, Stephen (Retired), Bloomingdale , Ga
Rest in peace my brother. Janet words come hard at times like this. Frenchie had a lot of friends who loved him I'm one of those.you will be missed brother.stickman
- jim oliver, pembroke, ga
I'm so glad I had an opportunity to reconnect with Bill recently. I am so sorry for your loss, Janet. I can recall many memories of of past conversations going as far back as Viet Nam. Bill seemed to enjoy life to the fullest and I am sure his new adventure will be just as rewarding. We will miss Bill tremendously.
- Arthur Fraps, Savannah, GA
Dear Janet & Family, We are so sorry for the loss of your husband. Our thoughts & prayers goes out to all of y'all. Please know we won't be attend to show our respect in the Honor of Frenchie. We know he isn't suffer anymore pain. Frenchie's flying highly up on the mountain! May God bless you & all. Friends for many years, Love always, Faye Morris Sanders & Ronnie Sanders
- Faye Morris Sanders & Ronnie Sanders , Bulloch County, Ga.
Janet, so sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
- Faye Allen, Savannah , Ga
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You, may His face shine upon you. Love you man
- Karl and Cathy Johnson, Bloomingndale, Ga
Slow hand salute to my 129th brother. Rest in peace!
- Jerry Heckathorn, Mercer, Pa
Janet,I'm so sorry to hear of you're loss.Love and prayers for God to comfort you and the family,sincerely,Susan.
- susan Gresham, Douglasville, Ga
This is very hard to find the words. I new frenchie for a long time. We served together in the 129th. He was one of the kindest, most upbeat guys I ever met. His job in life was showing people that life can be fun. He will be missed by so many. I will think of him often, and when I do he always brings a smile to my face. Bill I will miss you buddy.
- Bill Whelan, Bensenville, IL
Dearest Jan, I am so very sorry for the loss of your love!!! Mike and I are keeping you, your family and all who were friends with Frenchy in our prayers. He was much loved and will be missed!!
- Mike and Tina Lamson, Richmond Hill, Ga
While I barely knew Frenchie and Janet, our time was full of fun and laughter. We became fast friends. My heart breaks for Janet and family. Fly high Frenchie!!
- Sharon Barfield, Fortson, Ga
Jan, so very sorry for your loss. May God strength you during this difficult time, and give you peace.
- Lu & John Quibodeaux , Richmond Hill, Ga
Some losses are too hard to accept...this is one of them. Frenchie stayed in the hearts of all who met him. He will remain there now. L-G
- Judith Singer, Milwaukee, WI
Words escape me at this time. While we did not have an opportunity to visit Janet and Frenchie often the times we did always brought a smile to my heart. I loved bantering with him and friendly disputes. . Frenchie you will be missed terribly, and you will live on forever in our hearts. Janet my deepest condolences to you my friend. Please let me know if there's anything we can do. Love ya
- Bob Kelshaw & Pam Marken, Woodstoc, Ga
Frenchie was larger than life with a thirst for adventure only a few could match. His big and loving heart touched the lives of many. He will be missed by many, near and far. Rest In Peace.
- Elizabeth Thorne, Savannah, GA
Such a good man who meant so much to so many. He'll be missed dearly. I consider Frenchie part of my family. RIP Bill!!
- Balcom, Savannah , Ga
Such a good man who meant so much to so many. He'll be missed dearly. I consider Frenchie part of my family. RIP Bill!!
- Balcom, Savannah , Ga
Frenchie will be missed. He was a unique and loving man with a huge love of life. There are few words to express the depth of loss those who knew and loved him are feeling now. He will always remain alive in our hearts. My love prayers go out my dear lifelong friend Janet and the family of a man so loved..
- Kathy Rutledge, Savanbah, Ga
Bill was loved by all and will be missed greatly. Janice hope this finds you doing o.k.
- Don Moody, Hinescille, Ga
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
