Graveside services with military honors for Mr. William "Bill" French, age 78 of Carthage, Texas will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 13, 2007 at Antioch Cemetery near Carthage with Brother Arnold Shrewsbury officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. French passed away on Monday, July 9, 2007 in Carthage.

William Edward "Bill" French was born on May 4, 1929 in Dearborn, Michigan to Chase and Ora Maze French. Mr. French retired from the United States Army after 23 years of service. He loved woodworking, being outside working in his yard, and baseball. He married Lillie McDaniel on April 12, 1997 in Carthage. Mr. French was of the Baptist faith and had lived in Carthage for the past 10 years, moving from Leavenworth, Kansas.

Mr. French is survived by his wife, Lillie French of Carthage; one son Ronald French of Leavenworth, Kansas; one daughter, Cathy French of Claremore, Oklahoma; seven step-children, Bridgett French, Robert French, Lillie Hunter, Sally Fuselier, Ella Burgess, Cindy Figley, and David Lawless; three sisters, Virginia Glass of Freemont Michigan, Delorise Johnson of Freemont, Michigan, and Barbara; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; Numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren also survive Mr. French.

Serving as pallbearers are James Nail, Dustin Fuselier, Jerry Figley, Cody Figley, Keith Michael Lee, Jimmy Burgess, Brandon Burgess, and Derrick Fuselier, Michael Schonherr.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 5620, 421 North Live Oak Street, Carthage, Texas 75633 or the American Legion Post # 353, 1520 Loop 59 East, Carthage, Texas, 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.