Bill Founds

William S. "Bill" Founds, Jr., 83, of Covington, TN went to be the Lord on July 25, 2023 after a long battle with dementia. Bill was born on January 25, 1940 in Chester, PA to the late William S. "Bill" and Dorothy Stegemerten Founds. He was the oldest of their five children. He graduated from Media High School in Media, PA in 1959 and immediately started a life-long career with Scott Paper Company in their maintenance department. His strong work ethic and love of mechanics moved him up through the company and to several locations including Philadelphia, PA, Sandusky, OH, Hattiesburg, MS and finally in 1987 to Mobile, AL where he retired in 2006. Bill's greatest passion in life was to serve the Lord. He was a member of Life Church in Mobile, AL where he served as an Elder for more than 20 years. He was a member of the Pastoral Care Team under founding pastor, Dick Braswell and then with Pastor Scott Howard after 2009. Bill was the Founder and President of Promises of Life Ministries (POL). Established in 1985, Bill had the vision of seeing men leave prison with the skills needed to transition back into society in a positive way. The ministry provides vocational, social, and family training as well as assistance with housing, clothing and finding employment opportunities. Promises of Life Ministries is in place at Holman Prison where Bill served as Assistant Chaplain; Mobile Metro Co. Jail and Mobile Work Release Center where he served as a volunteer Chaplain; Martin's Corrections Center (Youth Boot Camp), Cogburn Health & Rehabilitation Nursing Home, and seven county jails. Bill also started the Gift of Love program which provides Christmas gifts to children with an incarcerated parent. Bill is survived by his children Debbi (Don) Hollar of Covington, TN; Wendi Hill of Hattiesburg, MS; Bill (Tracy) Founds of Petal, MS; a beloved sister-in-law, Sue (Tim) Fortenberry of Petal, MS; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings, Betty (Ron) Cowley of Ephrata, PA; Don (Denise) Founds of Edgewater, FL; and Cherri Landry of Elizabethtown, PA. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Demboski of Oxford, PA. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Promises of Life Annual Banquet in Spring, 2024. He will be interred at Hillcrest Cemetery in Petal, MS. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to: Promises of Life Ministries c/o Larry Weeks - 10217 Hunters Trace N. Mobile, AL 36608 or www.promisesoflifeprisonministry.com