William Francis Herard

William “Bill” Herard, 76, passed away at his home on Sunday, February 24, 2019 in Plantation, FL.

He was born on August 18, 1942 in Providence, RI to the late Alicia Connealy and the late Sylvio Paul Herard.

Bill, at the age of 16, graduated in the Class of 1959 from Burrillville High School. After graduation, Bill was a pitcher for the minor league affiliates of the LA Dodgers in 1960 and 1961. During his spring training, he met the love of his life, Janice Louise Deitch, while catching a ride back to Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. They were married on November 21, 1963. Together, they raised their two children, Tracey and William “Bill”, as well as their nephews, James and Steven Moore.

Bill served in the US Navy for two years. During his travels with the Navy, Bill spent time in Scotland, England, and Spain. After serving in the Navy, Bill worked as a paper salesman until retiring in 2009.

He enjoyed watching all sports, no matter the season or the ball. He loved playing golf and shot 2 holes in one. He was a season ticket holder of the Florida Panthers since they started in 1993. He was an avid fan of St. Thomas Aquinas football, the high school where his children attended. Bill was also known for having the best yard in the neighborhood.

Bill was also the best Uber driver for his grandchildren! He was on duty most days to pick them up from school. He was also an amazing caregiver for Jan, who had many surgeries over the last seven years.

Bill and Jan loved to travel and truly enjoyed their time traveling to Hawaii, Sweden, Alaska, Germany and numerous places around the US.

Bill was a member of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church since 1971.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, of 55 years; his children Tracey (John) Walsh, William (Julie) Herard; his brothers, James Herard and Joseph (Anne) Herard; his nephews and nieces: James Moore, Steven (Michelle) Moore, James Herard, Tim (Kristen) Herard, Jennifer (John) Caletri, Michael (Melissa) Herard, Katherine (David) Ray; his grandchildren, Conor, Owen, Justine, Lindsey, Michael, and Steven; his dogs, Tebow and Gator, and his childrens’ dogs, Tinkerbell, Rosie, Daisy, Leila, and Kona.

Bill was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Nina Deitch Urban.

A funeral service to honor Bill’s life will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 201 North University Drive in Plantation, FL on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The Herard family would like to give a special thank you to the Hospice Team at Trustbridge for providing comfort to Bill and being an angel for the rest of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of William F. Herard to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.