William E. François
September 16, 2011
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Service Details
Bill François, 87, died Friday, September 16, 2011 at Senior Suites of Urbandale. A graveside service will be held at Glendale Cemetery on Friday, September 23 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service and celebration of his life at 2:00 p.m. at Senior Suites, 4700 84th Street in Urbandale.
A native of Chicago and a graduate of Steinmetz High School, Bill enlisted in the US Army at age 18; and as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII made countless jumps in battles across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East earning many medals and citations.
After his honorable discharge in 1945, Bill received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in journalism from Northwestern; then embarked on a career as a newspaperman for 10 years on the Newcastle (IN) Courier-Times, the Idaho State Journal, and the Dayton Journal Herald. He began a new career course as a university professor of journalism and mass communications, received his doctorate at Ohio State, and taught at Marshall University (10 years) and Drake University (15 year) where he took early retirement in 1984 with the distinction of a new title as Professor Emeritas.
While at Drake, Bill took a leave of absence to serve as Distinguished Visiting Professor in Mass Communications at American University in Cairo, Egypt (1979-81). Later Bill traveled as a US State Department lecturer (1983-84) to graduates and faculties at universities in India, China, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii (East-West Center Fellowship), and other countries in Asia and the Pacific.
But Bill wasn’t ready to retire yet. He continued to teach and chair journalism departments at other universities including Wayne State University, California PolyTech University in San Luis Obispo, and the University of North Florida. Finally before really retiring, Bill was the recipient of a 1987-88 Fulbright Distinguished Lecturing Award which took him as a lecturer to many universities in Seoul, Korea (4 months).
During his distinguished teaching career Dr. Francois wrote 6 books, over 200 magazine articles, and was the recipient of many honors and awards.
Bill was a man who made a difference in people’s lives. He will be remembered by his family, former colleagues, students, and friends as a man who had an indomitable spirit and work ethic; whose stellar integrity, loyalty, honesty, citizenship, and an innate sense of fairness and responsibility raised the bar for all who knew him well.
Bill enjoyed writing, hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with family members whom he loved very much. Bill’s memory will be cherished by his beloved wife of 67 years, Irene; his daughter, Louise; his son-in-law, Doug; and his two grandchildren, Maria and Andrew.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Kathleen Richardson
09/22/2011
Condolences to the Francois family from the faculty and staff of the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Bill Francois was and is a legend in the J School, remembered for being a tough, fair, smart teacher and mentor. He was a warrior for the First Amendment and for journalism at Drake, and for that we will be forever grateful.
Peggy Huppert
09/22/2011
To the family of Bill Francois--
I was a student of Dr. Francois at Drake in the late 1970s. (I graduated in 1980 with a degree in News-Editorial Journalism.)
I had the utmost respect, admiration and affection for Dr. Francois. He was a great teacher who mentored many students.
It is good to see that he lived such a productive, fulfilling life. It is obvious that he touched many lives in addition to my own. My condolences on his passing.
Cora Hayes
09/22/2011
Bill and Irene were part of a Drake faculty bridge group my husband and i belonged to for several years. I have fond memories of good times. Bill was a wonderfully caring husband and son-in-law. He will be remembered. Cora Hayes
Barb Dietrich Boose
09/22/2011
As a Drake journalism major fresh off the farm, I was anxious about taking Professor Francois' journalism and the law course. He'd written the textbook, after all, and was not one to coddle students. It turned out to be one of my favorite classes ever. No doubt he helped shape the careers and character of countless individuals through his teaching, service, work ethic and integrity. My sympathies to the family.
Louis Laurent
09/22/2011
Please accept my condolences. Professor Fransois was one of my favorite professors while I studied at Drake and I remember him fondly. Tough, fair and inspiring. His communications law class was outstanding and I use what I learned everyday. He touched many lives and will not be forgotten.
Dave Peyton
09/21/2011
A persons's life may be measured by the positive effect he had on others. Bill Francois had that effect on thousands through his role as a newspaperman's newspaperman and his role as a university professor. I decided to major in journalism because Bill appeared at career night at Barboursville High School. He was also my adviser and asked me at the outset if I really wanted to major in journalism. "Your ACT scores qualify you to major in math. Newspaper reporters are terrible at math. You sure you want to be reporter?" I told him that, yes, I did because I hated math. He seemed surprised. Later he got me summer jobs and other part time experience, all the while guiding me in the proper ways of reportage. He and his kind will be sorely missed.