William "Bill" George French

William “Bill” George French, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, patriot, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. He was 79 years old.

Born on September 12, 1946, Bill lived a life defined by service, courage, adventure, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. He was the cherished husband of Catherine “Cathy” French (née Baum), with whom he shared a lifetime of love, partnership, and memories. Together they built a family that became the center of his world.

Bill was the proud father of Michael French and Suzanne Swiderski, and he took immense pride in their accomplishments and the lives they built. His greatest joy in recent years was being “Grandpa,” a role he embraced with enthusiasm, wisdom, and an endless supply of encouragement.

A graduate of St. James High School, Class of 1964, Bill answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in the United States Army Special Forces in 1965, completed officer training, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. As a member of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and later the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), he served in Vietnam with distinction.

For extraordinary heroism under fire, First Lieutenant French was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor.  He also earned the Air Medal for his service. His courage in combat reflected the character that defined his entire life: calm under pressure, selfless in service, and steadfast in the face of adversity.

Following his military service, Bill continued serving his country as an Intelligence Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, where he worked from 1969 to 1978. He later built a distinguished four-decade career in the executive search industry, working internationally across Houston, London, and Moscow. His professional success was matched by his reputation for integrity, discretion, and mentorship.

While Bill’s accomplishments were many, those who knew him best will remember him for the qualities that could never be listed on a résumé. He was endlessly curious, fiercely patriotic, and always willing to help others. He was a gifted storyteller who could make a room laugh, a trusted advisor who seemed to have an answer for every question, and a loyal friend who never forgot the people who mattered to him.

Bill embraced life with a sense of curiosity, adventure, and enthusiasm that few could match. A passionate sports fan and traveler, he made it a point not merely to watch history, but to experience it firsthand. Over the years, he attended two Olympic Games, a FIFA World Cup, the World Series, two Super Bowls, the FA Cup, The Masters, the Final Four, Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the Rugby World Cup, the Goodwill Games, the Cotton Bowl, Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout, Craig Biggio’s Hall of Fame induction, cricket Test matches at Lord’s, and countless other sporting events around the world. Whether it was tennis in Dubai and Singapore, football in Houston, cricket in London, or soccer in England, Bill never missed an opportunity to witness excellence in action.

His love of culture was equally boundless. He attended performances by the Bolshoi Ballet, the Houston Ballet, the Rockettes, Ice Capades, WrestleMania, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Vienna State Opera. He enjoyed countless productions on both Broadway and London’s West End and could often be found planning his next trip around a play, concert, museum, or sporting event. He approached the arts with the same enthusiasm that he brought to athletics, appreciating both as expressions of human achievement.

Bill was a true globetrotter in every sense of the word. It was often said that it would be easier to list the countries he had not visited than the ones he had. Throughout his life, he lived in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Illinois, England, Russia, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Singapore. His travels took him to every continent except Antarctica, and he relished the opportunity to learn from different cultures, meet new people, and share those experiences with family and friends. Many of his most treasured memories came not from destinations themselves, but from the adventures he shared with those he loved.

An avid collector and lifelong learner, Bill accumulated an eclectic collection of stamps, sports memorabilia, Beanie Babies, and Matryoshka dolls from his travels around the world. He had a remarkable ability to find joy in both the grand and the ordinary, whether he was attending a world championship event or searching for a unique souvenir in a small local shop.

Above all, Bill was a devoted fan. He cheered passionately for the Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, the University of Houston, Arsenal Football Club, and countless other teams. Yet his greatest enthusiasm was always reserved for the athletes in his own family. No matter the sport; swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball, track, cross country, or anything else, Bill was there to support, encourage, and celebrate the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. To them, he was their biggest fan, and they were forever his favorite team.

Even in the face of illness, Bill displayed the same courage, dignity, and grace that characterized his entire life. He met every challenge with quiet strength and an enduring concern for the well-being of those around him. Though his journey has ended, the impact of his life will endure in the hearts, memories, and stories of all who crossed his path. He will be forever remembered, forever cherished, and forever missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday June 17, 2026 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Murrells Inlet, SC. 

The family will receive friends 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Burroughs Funeral Home, Murrells Inlet, SC with a prayer service being held at 1:00 PM 

Online condolences may be expressed at www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet, SC (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.