News

Commissioners to memorialize Bill Francis

By Bill Moss, Published: July 9, 2015

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners plans to honor former three-term County Commissioner and longtime feed store proprietor William “Bill” Francis Jr. during its regular meeting next week.

Francis, 85, of Hendersonville, died Friday, July 3, at the Elizabeth House. Born in Henderson County on April 18, 1930, to William Francis Sr. and Sara Linda Tatum Francis, Bill Francis was the popular and well-known proprietor of the Francis and Wright Feed Store for more than 40 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia J. Francis, who died in April 2011.

After graduating from Hendersonville High School, he served his country in the U.S. Navy. When he came home, he began his career in the family business, the feed store that his father started. First located on Seventh Avenue, the store later moved to Spartanburg Highway. He met every customer with a friendly smile and a helpful attitude. He was generous and was well known for helping all of the local farmers in Henderson County.
He served three terms as a Henderson County commissioner, from 1972 until 1984, including three years as vice chairman, from 1975 until 1978. He was a member of the Four Seasons Club and a loyal and dedicated member of First United Methodist Church.
Francis “spent many years of his life serving his community, making it a better place to live,” said the Resolution of Memoriam the commissioners will adopt Wednesday.
Francis is survived by three sons, William “Tripp” Francis and his wife, Pamela, of Etowah; Michael Lee Francis Sr. and his wife, Sheila, of Hendersonville; and Christopher Scott Francis and his wife, Karla, of Asheville; three grandchildren, Michael Lee Francis, Jr. and his wife, Brynn, of Hendersonville; Jordan Ray Francis of Hendersonville, and Amanda Tatum Francis of Asheville; and three great-grandchildren, Maggie, Sara, and Ashton.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial donations be directed to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, N.C., 28731 or to First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, 204 Sixth Avenue West, Hendersonville, N.C., 28739.