It is with profound sadness that the children of William R. Francis announce his passing on Sunday, October 2. Bill was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest of three boys. His high school letters were in Archery, and he even competed in the Junior Olympiad as an archer. After graduating Loyola University, he served in the Public Health Service, working at hospitals in the Southwest. He then decided to earn his higher degrees, completing his PhD at the University of Mississippi in 1976. After Ole Miss, he taught at the University of Georgia, until he found his true calling—working in the Pharmacy of St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, Georgia.
Bill was a member of the Catholic Center Church, the HYNS (Help Your Neighbor Society), and the SSHP (Southeastern Society of Hospital Pharmacists).
Dr. Francis is preceded in death by his parents, John Malcolm and Harriette Francis, née Crosby, as well as by siblings John and Thomas. Bill was also preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, in 2014. He is survived by his two children, Leeann Key and Jeanne Francis, as well as his grandson, L. Daniel Key III.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dr. Francis’ name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org, or to St. Mary’s Hospice, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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