William “Bill” Ray Francis Sr., son of the late Joe Francis and Mable Joseph Francis, was born on March 31, 1938 in Pontiac, Michigan, and departed this life on June 17, 2020 at Bethesda Dilworth Skilled Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 82 years.

Mr. Francis was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and the United States Air Force.  He owned and operated a motorcycle shop and auto body repair shop; and he was an auto body repairman and mechanic.  In later years, he loved working on boats.   

He was united in marriage to Joyce Lee Creed in 1958, together they had five children and a lifetime companionship.

He is survived by his daughter, Joy Shaw of Edwardsville, Illinois; by four sons, William “Bill” Francis Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri, Richard Francis of St. Charles, Missouri, Steven Francis of St. Charles, Missouri, and Kenny Francis of St. Louis, Missouri; by his brother, Don Francis of Jacksonville, Florida; by his sister, Ruth Avery of Essex, Missouri; by fifteen grandchildren; and by seventeen great-grandchildren.

Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Vernon Francis.

Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, June 22, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Honor Guard, PO Box 323, Bloomfield, Missouri 63825 or Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.