William France

William "Bill" France, 85, born May 13, 1921, passed away peacefully in the presence of his loved ones, on Saturday, August 5, 2006 in Little Rock. Bill was born in Sunderland, County Durham, U.K. on May 13, 1921. He met his first wife, Jessie Chambers, in an ammunition factory during World War II. They married in 1943 and had two daughters, Elisabeth and Julie. They were married for 36 years until Jessie passed away. Bill then moved to Arkansas to marry his second wife of 17 years, Juanita Atkinson, in Camden, Arkansas.
When Bill became a widower for the second time, he moved to Little Rock to be next to his daughter, Julie, and her husband, Dawson, and grandchildren, Zachary and Jessie Rose. His daughter, Elisabeth, along with her partner, Ray Richardson, from England, visited Bill regularly over the years, in Camden and in Little Rock.
Bill was a practical man, who worked both in England and America as a service engineer. He had a great sense of humor and many will remember him for his jokes. He was a friend to many over the years and enjoyed a close friendship with Neva Williams of Tucson, Arizona for the last 8 years of his life.
Many thanks to Brother Bill Laird and the congregation of Southwest Church of Christ, where Bill was a member for the past 8 years.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the hospice where he died, Hospice Home Care, 2200 South Bowman Road, Little Rock, AR 72211
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock. Funeral service will be on Wednesday, August 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Southwest Church of Christ, 19439 Lawson Road in Little Rock.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200.