William "Will" Henry French

William “Will” Henry French, Jr., 47, of Pittsburg, Texas departed this life Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born on January 27, 1978, to William Henry French and Belinda June Beach French in Mt. Pleasant, Texas.

Amber, Will’s fiancé’ shares her memories: Words will never be enough to say what Will meant to me. I know that I really need to say something for Will, but honestly, I don’t know what to say, and I don’t want to offend anyone. Will was my soulmate, best friend, my lover, and my world, my day began and ended with him. He was my reason and he meant so much to so many people. He will never be forgotten. He will forever be in my heart and mind, pushing me to do better.

Will’s daughter A.J. shares her memories of her father: My Father, William Henry French was a wonderful father. He had his ups and downs but he was loving and kind to me and my sister. I will miss him dearly, but I am glad he is no longer in pain and is at peace. I’m also glad that he can finally see his mom and dad again after being gone from them for so long. I hope he knows that we will be ok and we will stay strong. I love him to the moon and back forever and ever may he rest well and be happy. As I write this, I bet he has met my step father Ricky and they are sitting and drinking Jack Daniels and talking about their raising of me and Julia.

His daughter Julia shares her memories of her father: his favorite hobby was collecting Star Wars Memorabilia. He loved his girls and always made them laugh. He was a good daddy and we will always love him.

His sister Alicia shares her memories of Will: So much comes to my mind. Will was strong, brave, courageous, yet kind and soft spoken, wore his heart on his sleeve. A gentle giant! A life that wasn’t easy from the very beginning, but yet he over came and conquered it one step, one mountain at a time. He was the keeper of my secrets, the giant hand that held my tiny hand so many times and made all my fears disappear. He was a lover, not a fighter, a peacemaker if you will. He would definitely stand firm when needed. I am proud to call William my brother, my best friend! Heaven gained an amazing soul, and I have lost my person. For many years William and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner together at my house. Every Thanksgiving Eve, as we called it, we’d go shopping together at Walmart to get all our ingredients. We did it like Granny all from scratch and most were her recipes from heart. One year we went shopping as usual, but when we entered the doors of Walmart, there was a big huge box display of all kinds of nuts, well, there were 2 elderly ladies at the huge box of nuts, both had walnuts in their hands. William and I locked eyes both starting to smirk, he says, “sister we got to go.” We sped up but when I tell you we did not get past the 2 sweet old ladies before of them says loudly, and I quote, “I just love nuts!” We both lost it. William laughed so hard he was shaking all over. He had to brace himself on the cereal display and I bent over the buggy. We were rolling and low and behold the cereal display topped over and we lost it again. When I tell you everyone around us was laughing at us, but only he and I knew what was funny. It is those memories I have, and I have many more like that. The things we did and the fun we had were the absolute best.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his Granny, who raised him: Vivian Earl French, four uncles Sonny (Leona) French, Mike French, Wayne French and Jerome French, and two aunts: Vickie Marie Sullivan and Teresa Harmon and brother-in-law: Christopher Tadeyeske.

Will is survived by his fiancé: Amber Wilson of Marked Tree, Arkansas, two daughters: Adrieanna “A.J.” June French of Texarkana, Texas and Julia Lynn French of Princeton, Louisiana, brother: Steven French (Kelly) of Temecula, California, three sisters: Alicia Ottinger (Jody) of Talco, Texas, Erica Lynn and Andrea Sue, two nieces: Beccalynn Isaac and Destiny French, two nephews: Christopher Tadeyeske, II and Braeden French, aunt: Kathy French of Texas, lifelong friend: Randy Seale (Summer) of Marked Tree, Arkansas, several great nieces, great nephews, cousins, friends and other family.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Pleasant Hill Cemetery - 6343 Orange Road Big Sandy, TX 75755

Rev. Patrick Lloyd will be officiating the service.

Arrangements are under the care of Delancey Funeral Home in Marked Tree, Arkansas.