William DeFrance

Bill DeFrance was born on July 10, 1937, in Coahoma, Mississippi and transitioned this life on January 7, 2025.  As the youngest of five children, his family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan when he was eight years old.

Bill was a proud alumnus of the class of 1955 of Benton Harbor High School.  After earning his diploma, he joined the United States Air Force.  Basic training took him to New York, followed by technical training in Mississippi.  For the greater part of his military career, he was stationed in Germany serving as a Radar Operator.  Following his discharge from the Air Force he returned to Benton Harbor for a season.  In 1960 he relocated to Chicago where he remained for 30+ years.

For many years he juggled between work and pursuing a college education.  His resume boasts of varied work experience and educational opportunities including, but was not limited to, the United States Postal Service, the City of Chicago, the Illinois Inspection and Rating Bureau, the Chicago Technical School, the University of Illinois and Moody Bible Institute.  Persistence paid off for Bill with the earning of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Serving in the Ministry of Oakdale Covenant Church in the role of Youth Ministry Coordinator, and with the Christian foundation laid by his parents, the late Hattie Mae (Daniels) DeFrance, and Joseph DeFrance, Sr. left an indelible imprint on his life.  Bill was very candid about the highs and lows of his life.  There were times when he may have given up on himself if not for the groundwork laid by his parents during his early childhood years, and for the continued spiritual guidance he received at the Bread of Life Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Robert Lee DeFrance Sr. and First Lady Joyce DeFrance whom he loved dearly and served faithfully until his health began to fail.  He learned that trusting in Christ is far better than relying on self, and not to underestimate the power of prayer.  His favorite songs, “I Will Trust in the Lord”, “I Love the Lord He Heard My Cry”, and “Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee” helped encourage his spirt.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie Mae (Daniels) DeFrance, and Joseph DeFrance, Sr., his son, Tony DeFrance, and his brother and sister-in law, Charles (Essie) DeFrance. 

Bill will forever be remembered in the hearts of his daughter, Cheryl (Benny) Rosario of Chicago, IL, brothers, Joseph (Diane) DeFrance of St. Joseph, MI, Rev. Robert (Joyce) DeFrance, Sr. of Benton Harbor, MI, John (Tracy) DeFrance of Lithonia, GA, and Michael DeFrance of Chicago, IL, and his sisters, JoEvelyn (DeFrance) Sams of Benton Harbor, MI, and Jeannette Wills of Lithonia, GA.  He will also be remembered by his close friend Rosemary Fulton of Chicago, IL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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