Francis Clarence Flynn

Funeral services for Francis Clarence Flynn, 86, of Williston, SC will be held two o'clock p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2023 at Folk Funeral Home, Williston, SC with the Reverend Jeffrey Ray officiating. Burial will be held in the Williston Cemetery with full US Air Force rites accorded. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Sunday. The family has asked that memorial be given to the Warrior Dog Foundation, 5930 Royal Lane, Ste E #355, Dallas, TX 75230. www.warriordogfoundation.org or to the Williston Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 367, Williston, SC 29853.

Francis went to meet his maker Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Anchor Health and Rehab in Aiken, SC. He is preceded in death by his mother Mrs. Irene Stack Flynn and his father Mr. Francis Edward “Happy” Flynn. Francis was born in the Pinewood area of Sumter, SC. When he was only fourteen years old Francis’s mother passed away and his father left him and his brother A.W. “Bebo” Flynn alone in Williston, SC. Thanks to the generosity and loving support of the Garber family, the Schmitt family, the W.B. Powell family, and Mrs. Daisy Willis, Francis was able to remain at home in Williston, SC. A special person in his life was Mr. Joe Kelly, without whose help Francis never would have completed High School.

Francis graduated from Williston–Elko High School in 1955. He immediately joined the US Air Force. After twenty-four years of stellar active service in the US Air Force and two years in the SC National Guard he was honorably retired from military service. As a combat veteran with three tours of duty in the republic of Viet Nam and in the service of his country Francis received numerous awards and decorations. He was an Instructor at the US Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences, the Air University, and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy. During his time in the service of his country he was the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the US Air Force Dog Demonstration Team. Francis retired as a Master Instructor from the US Air Force.

Francis was also a civic minded individual and after returning to his hometown after retirement, he served on the town of Williston Board of Zoning and Appeals and Development Board. He was chairman of the Wonderful Williston Weekend celebration on four separate occasions and directly responsible for the Turn of Century Celebration for the town of Williston. Francis was the representative for the town of Williston to the Barnwell County Chamber of Commerce.

One of his proudest achievements was serving as chairman for the Hooked-on-Fishing not on Drugs Annual Event, along with the support of his Chem-Nuclear Family, his good friends Ed Boyles, Jimmy Still and the Direct support of Sergeant Gerald Moore South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Francis is survived by his loving wife Laura of the home; three sons, Daniel (Judy), Michel (Kelley) and Wendell (Cathy); his five girls, Laura Jean (John) Irene, Sheryl Ann, Corinne (Joe) and Donna (Dan); seventeen grandchildren; fifty-seven great and great-great grandchildren at last count and a sister-in-law Shirley Flynn.    

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