William H. Francis, age 94, of Appleton, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center. Bill was born in Lansdowne, PA on June 12, 1927, to the late Frank T. and Rachel (Himrod) Francis. Following high school graduation, Bill proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy. He then attended The Citadel through the G. I. Bill. On June 14, 1952, Bill was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Rich in Washington D. C. The couple enjoyed 59 years together until Betty passed on May 29, 2011. Bill was active with both the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Masons and the Shriners. He enjoyed woodcarving and volunteered much of his time to Bubolz Nature Center and SCORE.

Bill is survived by his two daughters: Karen Berg, Minneapolis, MN and Joy (Michael) Kutz, Anchorage, AK; 5 grandchildren: Michael W. Kutz, R. Noel Kutz, Charles "Frank" Kutz, Christopher Berg, and Kimberly Berg; 3 great grandchildren: Michael J. Kutz, Taylor Kutz, and Margot Berg Gardone. He is further survived by his loving friend, Barbara Trettin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Rachel, his wife, Betty, and his son, Frank who passed away on February 27, 1970.

A memorial service will take place at 6 pm on Tuesday, December 14, at the Brettschneider Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 5 pm until 5:45 pm. A Masonic Service will take place at 5:45. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Shriners Hospitals for Children and Alzheimer's research.