William A. “Bill” France, Jr.
William A. “Bill” France, Jr, 84, of State College, and formerly of Philipsburg, died Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
He was born on April 22, 1936, in Philipsburg, a son of the late William A. and Elizabeth (Todd) France.
Bill was a 1954 graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, where he was awarded the Headmaster’s Prize. He attended the Pennsylvania State University where he was a brother of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
After university, he began working with the family business, J. H. France Refractories Co., Snow Shoe. He started as a lab technician and worked in every aspect of the business before rising to President of the company. After his retirement in 1998, he continued to work as a consultant sharing his knowledge of the company founded by his grandfather.
Mr. France was an ardent fan of all Penn State sports. It was joked that he bled blue and white. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the Tyrone Fishing Club as well as a lifetime NRA member. In his youth, Mr. France won the first Ocean City Commissioners trophy in power boat racing. He also raced in the Bellmawr Series on the Jersey Coast. Mr. France served on the Board of Directors of the Refractories Institute and was chairman of the Nominating Committee for many years. He was active in the Moshannon Valley YMCA and served as president of the Board of Directors. He taught Sunday School at the Trinity United Methodist Church, Philipsburg; and was a past member of the Reliance Volunteer Fire Company. He currently attended the Freedom Life Church, Milesburg.
In his own words, Bill said, “I was blessed to have many special friends and great employees.” He will be most dearly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 7 years, Hazel (Hall Renaud) France at home. They were married June 2014 on the way to Cape May, a place special to them both. He is also survived by two daughters, Barbara A. “Bobbie” France, of Harrisburg and Paula Wynn DiGregorio and her husband, Dr. Robert DiGregorio, of Furlong, PA.; one son, James H. “Jim” France and his wife, K.J., of Harrisburg; six grandchildren; one sister, Sara “Sally” Radomsky, of Philipsburg; his mother-in-law, Ella Marie Hall, of State College; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. France was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Elizabeth “Betsey” (France) Hanson; a nephew, John Radomsky; and his first wife, JoAnne (Gordon) France, on April 21, 2006 (m. 1957-2006).
A memorial service will be held at a later date with a day and time to be announced.
Interment will be in Philipsburg Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the Moshannon Valley YMCA, P.O. Box 426, Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg, is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com
