Father William Preston Folsom, Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday February 14, 2020. He was born in Montgomery, AL to William P. Folsom, Sr. and Mary Gertrude Flaherty on March 8, 1927. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John P. Folsom and sister Mary Dean Folsom. He is survived by his nieces Chris Folsom Barse (Billy) and Pat Folsom Gradwell (Wayne) and many great nieces, nephews and friends.
Father Folsom served his country proudly during World War II in the United States Navy from 1945 – 1946. He attended Elementary School at St. Mary of Loretta School in Montgomery, AL from 1933 -1941. From 1941 – 1944 he attended St. Mary of Loretta High School. From 1946 – 1948, Fr. Bill attended Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, then on to Loyola University in Grand Coteau, LA from 1948 – 1952. He then attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA from 1955 – 1957. Fr. Bill then attended Seminary from 1948 – 1958 at Society of Jesus, New Orleans Province.
Father Bill spent several years teaching at Catholic High School Montgomery AL, Jesuit High School of Dallas TX, Jesuit High School of Tampa FL and at the collegiate level Thomas More College in Covington KY.
His assignments as Priest began in 1991 with the Ordination Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile, AL by Most Reverend Oscar H. Lipscomb. Also in 1991 he became Associate Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Grove Hill, AL. In 1992, Father Folsom became Administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish in Orrville and St. Joseph Mission in Camden, AL. He became Pastor at St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Atmore, AL in 1993, and served until 1996 where he became Pastor at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Mobile. In 1997 Father Folsom became Pastor at Our Lady Queen of Mercy Parish in Montgomery, AL, and in 1998 was Administrator at St. John the Baptist Parish in Montgomery.
Father Folsom retired in 2002. Before and after his ordination to the priesthood, Father Folsom was active in Prison Ministry. In 2003 he was on Faculties from Archdiocese for Military Services, USA as a contract Chaplain to Maxwell Air Force Base.
Father Folsom was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree. He served in all council offices. He was elected to the State Council in 1963 and was the State Deputy from 1967 to 1969. He attained Circle of Honor in 1968. He was appointed Father of the District of Alabama Friar 1980. He served as Friar until 2012 and Honor of being State Friar Emirate’s.
A visitation will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church 3870 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL on Thursday February 20, 2020 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Bede Catholic Church on Friday February 21, 2020 at 10:00am with Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi presiding. Interment following Mass at Greenwood Cemetery Montgomery, AL.
Flowers gratefully declined. Those so wishing may make donations in memory of Father Bill to the Mobile Archdiocese's Burse Club, Retired Priest fund 400 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 and the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School 5350 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.
