William P. French

William P. French, 85 of Lake Winola and Hobe Sound, FL died Saturday evening following a brief illness. He was the husband of the former Sarah Downs. The couple had been married 61 years.

Born in Flushing, NY, he was the son of the late Arthur and Johanna Lochnane French. He was a 1951 graduate of Westbury High School and received his Bachelor's degree from Hofstra in 1955. Bill honorably served in the Army and Army Reserves. He worked his entire career for Metlife becoming Assistant Vice President until his retirement in 1993 During his career he was a member of the Abington Lions Club and Scranton Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Church.

Bill loved to golf. He was a member of the Country Club of Scranton and Heritage Ridge Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL. He enjoyed spending summers at Lake Winola with friends and family, but his favorite joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is a daughter Nancy Duckworth, and husband Randy, Clarks Summit; five grandchildren Suzanne Armstrong, Christopher Duckworth, Brian Bills, Kathryn Bills, and Ashley French, five great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Timothy Armstrong; and Bentley, Maxwell, and Gavin Duckworth, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sons William P. French Jr. and Thomas J. French, and a daughter Christine E. Bills.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in Hickory Grove Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. To send an online condolence please visit the funeral home website.