The devastated family of an inspirational 28-year-old who bravely battled cancer for almost half his life say he was a “beautiful, kind and loving” young man.
William France died peacefully at home in Canterbury earlier this month, two weeks before Christmas, with his mum and dad by his side.
William France, died peacefully at home in Canterbury earlier this month, two weeks before Christmas, aged 28, with his mum and dad by his side
The film-lover, who dreamed of becoming a cinematographer, had lived with cancer for 13 years after being diagnosed while still at school.
While in Year 10 at the autism unit at The Abbey School in Faversham, he was told he had paraganglioma – a rare tumour that usually forms along major blood vessels and nerve pathways in the neck and head.
But William’s parents say he refused to be defined by his cancer or autism, grabbing any opportunities he got with both hands.
His mum Debbie told KentOnline: “He was always lovely, very rarely was he grumpy – he dealt with anything that was given to him with good humour.”
Dad Simon added: “He never hid away from it, but he always just tried to ignore it and push it away, and carry on regardless. He was quite stoic that way.”
William France at his graduation from Canterbury Christ Church University with mum Debbie, dad Simon and sister Jessica
While William’s cancer is generally considered treatable, an operation to remove the tumour as a teenager was unsuccessful, and it was discovered a genetic mutation had caused him to develop cancer in his pelvis.
Over the next 13 years, he received a wide range of treatments – many of which were pioneering and intense.
During his GCSEs and A-Levels, he studied in a lead-lined room in London, where his family would spend weeks waiting with Geiger counters on their belts as they waited for radiation levels in his body to drop.
William’s diagnosis also led to family members being tested – a decision which proved life-saving.
Simon was found to have cancer in both his bladder and liver, while doctors also discovered a tumour in William’s sister Jessica.
William France was an inspiration to many people
“I had two completely independent separate cancers at the same time, which they successfully resected and got out,” Simon said.
“And Jessica, they also operated on and got hers out, and poor old William, we couldn’t get his out.
“Had Will not have been diagnosed, I don’t think they’d ever have found ours.
“He was displaying symptoms. We never did.”
Since announcing news of his death on LinkedIn and Facebook, where William had fostered a tight-knit community of those with similar interests, Debbie and Simon have been left stunned by the reaction.
William France was a film-lover who dreamed of becoming a cinematographer
Debbie said: “We were quite taken aback.
“The people who actually took time to sit down and think about their interaction with William and write those messages, that does mean something.
“I think that’s something really special.”
The post said: “He was a beautiful, kind, loving, polite son and brother, and we cannot put into words our loss. To say that we will miss him is a massive understatement; he had a beautiful, kind soul, with a wicked sense of humour.
“He was such a positive person who always embraced life head-on.”
William France with sister Jessica
William studied film, radio and television at Canterbury Christ Church University before completing a master’s degree researching ‘the impact of new and contemporary technology on film-related activities in Britain’.
A natural behind the camera, he was the Folkestone Film Festival Gala’s first-ever photographer and volunteered as a film reviewer for the city’s student radio station.
He also supported the Canterbury University Film Festival and the BFI Future Film Festival, later working part-time with Dynamic Rentals and One Stop Films.
Last year, he appeared on KentOnline’s sister TV channel KMTV’s Kent Film Club, where he delved into his love of Baby Driver, War of the Worlds and Children of Men.
“Whatever he was passionate about, he threw himself into headfirst, no matter what it was,” said Simon.
William France, from Canterbury, was an avid Harlequins fan
“Film was the thing that interested him, and he was such an open person, anybody who came in, there were no airs or graces, there were no grudges – I think he thought everybody was his friend.
“He loved the animation stuff. Pixar was a massive favourite. Lilo & Stitch, he would still cry even now, and Wallace & Gromit.”
Away from film, William was a follower of Formula One and a season ticket holder at Harlequins, travelling across the country to watch them when his health allowed and seeing England play on multiple occasions.
One chance meeting at Clacket Lane services after a match saw William and Simon bump into one of his heroes, Joe Marler – a moment that left him “utterly delighted”.
He was fortunate enough to visit Silverstone for the British Grand Prix through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while also getting to sit in Nico Rosberg’s car when at Monaco the following year.
William is survived by mum Debbie, dad Simon and older sister Jessica.