Franci Norcott

William Francis Norcott

Trinity

William Francis Norcott, husband of Julia Wright Norcott, passed away peacefully on Sabbath afternoon, June 30, 2018 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was 80 years of age.

Francis had been hospitalized six weeks prior due to a severe infection causing sepsis and endocarditis. His idiopathic interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) was exacerbated by the infection and his now weakened state. End stages progressed suddenly and quickly. With his wife Julia by his side, he bravely hung on to be able to see each of his children and every grandchild, who all live out of state and rushed to be with him. He was surrounded by love and family, including sisters and brothers-in-law, niece and nephews.

He shared with his family he cherished each one, and he was right with his Lord and Savior- at peace with what was to come and ready to rest. His peace came from his steadfast faith and knowledge he was but falling asleep, and when his eyes open once again he would be with his family and friends together in the arms of Jesus.

Francis was born in Durban, South Africa in 1937. He was the middle child of three children born to Seventh-day Adventist missionaries to the Congo in the 1920’s, Elder and Mrs. Victor and Lucie Norcott.

In 1958, when Francis was 21 years old, he came to the United States by ship, on the Queen Elizabeth, to go to Washington Missionary Collegein Takoma Park, MD. There he met North Carolina native, Julia Wright, who was also attending the same college. They were married a few years later, and raised their family in Maryland.

While in college, Francis worked at Washington Adventist Hospital as an inhalation therapist (respiratory therapist), and after college worked at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters, in Silver Spring, MD, until his retirement as Audio Visual Manager, more than 40 years later. His wife, Julia also worked at the General Conference, retiring as the managing editor of Ministry Magazine.

Francis, often called “Franci” by friends, is survived by his wife Julia, and David Wright (nephew), Yvette Norcott Patton, and Claire Norcott Newlon, and five grandchildren.

David Wright, beloved nephew who grew up close to Franci and Julia, lives in Virginia with his wife and two children, and is an executive in the computer science field. Yvette Norcott Patton lives with her two children in Maryland and is a middle school teacher at Olney Adventist Prep. Claire Norcott Newlon lives in Dayton, Ohio with her son and manages the marketing for Kettering Physician Network. Julia continues to live in Trinity, North Carolina where she and Francis retired, close to family in Julia’s home town.

Franci’s two sisters, brother-in-laws, one niece and grand niece and nephew, still live in the Johannesburg area of South Africa.

Francis was dedicated to sharing his faith with others, and wanted people all over the world to have the opportunity to hear about Jesus and His soon return. Throughout his life, as a technical communication enthusiast, Franci found radio to have a long reach and to be important tool in this mission.

In his last days, Franci found great comfort in the family and friends who reached out in person, by phone, text, email and letters from all over the world, and was so grateful and truly felt very blessed. It was his desire for only the simplest of memorials. To honor his wishes, his family held a private ceremony, with gratitude to all friends and family who remain close in their hearts, giving them strength and comfort.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions to Adventist World Radio in his memory would best honor his legacy.

Adventist World Radio

General Conference of SDA

12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Or online at AWR.org

Notes of family condolences please mail to: P.O. Box 181, Trinity, NC 27370

Wright Cremation & Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.