French, Joseph William “Bill”,87, passed away on Monday, October 24, 2016 at the Episcopal Church Home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Louisville, KY, on August 8, 1929 to the late Leo Joseph and Laura Julia French. During his youth, he was a bellman for the Brown Hotel and a golf caddie. He served in the U.S. Army as a corporal during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. Upon his return, he worked as an electrical draftsman for the Girdler Corporation where his father worked. Later, he became an insurance agent and retired after over thirty years being a business owner. He was past president of the Jeffersontown Area Business Association. His hobbies included golf, card games, playing the guitar, bowling, fishing, and camping and home improvement projects. He was a long time member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church and spent several years there volunteering at the Schuhmann Center where he, along with other men, renovated the building for serving the homeless.

He is predeceased by Dolores “Dody” French, his wife of 57 years as well as three brothers, John, Norman and Richard and three sisters, Delores, Doris and Patsy.
He leaves behind his five children, Dr. William S. "Bill” (Leslie) French, Janis (Joe) Wefer, Cindy (Mike) Kleier, Cheryl (Steve) Robinson and Becky (Eddie) Carter. His grandchildren include Brian Dembek, Jessica Robinson, Josh Dembek, Matt Robinson, Lauren French, Courtney Carter, David French, Scott French and Chase Carter; three great-grandchildren, Todd, Ben and Rylen; one brother, Kenneth (Juanita) French; and dearest friend, Chester Deboe.

His funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 7813 Shelbyville Road. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Friday at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road.

The family wishes to thank the caring and professional staff of the Episcopal Church Home, especially Dr. Jane Cornett. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Schuhmann Center, 730 E. Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202.

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