William "Bud" France

William “Bud” France passed into God’s tender care on Saturday, December 18, 2021, while at home with his wife of 69 years, Ethel Bishop France.

He frequently expressed pride in the work ethic of his ten children: Cathy D. Gross (Doyle) of Hanover, William R. France (the late Dorothy) of Thomasville, the late Perry L. France (Wanda Anderson), Anita A. Marsh (Michael) of Hanover, Henrietta C. Myers (Dale) of Longs, SC, Timothy P. France (Rita) of New Oxford Connie Lee Murray (Donald, Jr.) of York New Salem, Bonnie S. Reese, Mark A. France, both of Hanover, and Cindy P. Carter (John) of York. He was the proud grandfather to 19 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Kay Huffman, of Blountville, TN.

He was born on September 11, 1931 in Mitchell County, Harrell Township, NC on Spanish Mountain to Lily Moffitt France and Glenn France. Bud was raised by his grandparents, William and Sarah Emaline (Romanger) Moffitt, after his mother died during his birth. In addition to his parents, grandparents and son, he is precede in death by his sister, Sarah (France) Conkin and her husband John, of Kingsport, TN.

As a young man, he roamed the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee and said, “Every boy should know how to hitch a team of horses and move logs down a mountain”. He served in the Army from August 1950 to August 1953, during the Korean War. He received the Korea Service Medal with three bronze stars for acts of valor in combat operations, Bud wore his Korean War veterans cap with pride, often telling anyone who could hear about our “great country”. He was immensely proud of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV.

He was a carpenter and a millwright by trade. Struggling with only a fourth grade education, he humbly spoke of two men he worked with at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station and teachers with summer jobs, who taught him to read, write, and do math. Bud often stood up to bullies who taunted others and gave the last change in his pocket when it was all he had.

Before his death, he said, “I’ve had a good life and loved a bunch of people. I’ve been blessed.” He was loved and will be missed.

The funeral will be held at 10AM on Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Intersection Church, 1980 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeremiah Herbert officiating. The family will receive friends at a viewing from 6-8PM on Wednesday at Panebaker Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Inc., 311 Broadway, Hanover and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Marburg Memorial Gardens in Hanover.