William Joseph "Bill" French was born on February 21, 1929 in Galt, ON, the third, but first surviving child of Michael and Marjorie (nee Hodgson) French. He was raised on the family farm in the Township of Puslinch, County of Wellington in Ontario. Bill attended Killean School, continuing on to Grade 9 and 10 in Hespeler School where he rode the five and half miles on bicycle to attend school. In 1943, at the age of 14 years, he began working on the family farm while his father continued to work in Dominion Woolens and Worsted in Hespeler. In 1947 his father returned to running the farm and Bill worked for two years in the Woolen Mill. In 1949, Bill began an auto mechanics apprenticeship with Alvin W. Gingrich in Hespeler. Bill obtained his Ontario Auto Mechanics Journeyman's Certificate in 1954. In April of 1955 he came west to Brandon, MB and obtained employment at Victoria Motors in Brandon, MB. In January of 1957 he became manager of the Automotive Service Department for Carnduff Motors Ltd. in Yorkton. In March of 1974 he transferred to the Carnduff Motors Body Shop as Manager, continuing this job until his retirement in February of 1994 when the firm was known as Royal Ford. Bill was united in marriage to Anne J. Tomms of Brandon, MB on July 12, 1958. This union was blessed by the arrival of twin daughters, Linda and Donna in June of 1959 and a third daughter, Lisa, born in 1968. Bill was an active member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Yorkton where he taught Sunday School for a number of years and also served on the Board of Managers and as an Elder. Bill's main hobby was the restoration of antique automobiles and over the years he restored several Model T and Model A Fords. He was a member of the Yorkton Antique Auto Association and very much enjoyed his time with the car club. Bill was predeceased by two sisters, one at birth and one in infancy; his father, Michael, Sr. in 1967; his mother, Marjorie in 1993 and his son-in-law, Stan Adamek in 2012. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his wife, Anne; his daughters, Donna (Darcy) Burkart, Linda (Tim) Hemauer and Lisa French; four grandchildren, Brittany and Tyler Burkart, Jessica and Michelle Hemauer; family friend, Craig Thorn; his brother, Michael (Rita) French, Jr.; his sister, Mary (Harold) Weber as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. The Funeral Service was held on Friday, September 2, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Devon Pattemore of Grace Presbyterian Church (formerly Knox) officiating. The organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee", "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Be Thou My Vision". Granddaughters, Jessica Lynn Hemauer and Brittany Burkart shared words of tribute and eulogy. The recessional music was "Danny Boy" as sung by Daniel O'Donnell. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Linda Hemauer, Tim Hemauer, Donna Burkart, Tyler Burkart, Lisa French and Craig Thorn serving as the casket bearers. Members of the Yorkton Antique Auto Association were invited to serve as the Honourary pall bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
