William W. Francis

William Francis was born and raised in Troy, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Houghton College in 1966, majoring in music and history. In the summer of 1965, he studied at the Free University in Amsterdam, Holland. Willaim graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1969. In May of 2002, Houghton College conferred on him a Doctor of Divinity degree.

While attending Houghton College he met Marilyn (nee Burroughs),and they were married there in December 1965.

In September 1971, William and Marilyn entered The Salvation Army's School for Officer Training in New York City. In 1973, they were ordained and commissioned as Salvation Army officers.

William and Marilyn have served in various appointments with The Salvation Army in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. They have conducted over 20 tours to the Holy Land.

William's book "The Stones Cry Out" (1993) takes a fresh look, through the eyes of modern archeology and biblical research, at 18 locations of Jesus' ministry throughout the land of Israel. He is also the author of "Celebrate the Feasts of the Lord" (1997) and contributed to "Living Portraits Speaking Still" (2003), plus many others. He has served as a Trustee for Greenville College and a member of the President's Advisory Board at Houghton College.

William and Marilyn have two adult children, William Marshall and Susan Marjorie, plus six grandchildren.