Born: February 19, 1927
Died: January 12, 2010

Birthplace: Knoxville, TN
Resided in: Mansfield, OH

Obituary:
William "Bill" Ivory FOLSOM, SR, 82, of 116 Betzstone Dr. died Monday, at home after an extended illness. Mr. Folsom was born to the late Clarence and Effie Lee Norris Folsom in Knoxville, Tennessee and had lived in Mansfield the last 57 years. Bill received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology with a minor in English from Knoxville, College in Knoxville. After graduation Bill entered the Navy serving towards the end of World War II. In 1953 Bill moved with his family to Mansfield and became employed with the Fisher Body Plant where he later became the first African American salaried employee. He later retired from the CPC/GM Plant's Shipping Department in 1991 after 34 years of service. Bill was a member of the Providence Baptist Church. Bill is survived by his 3 children: Kathleen (Freddie B.) Davis with whom he made his home, Belinda Folsom of Cincinnati, William "Billy" (Edna) Folsom, Jr. of Irvington, New Jersey; devoted Grandsons: Jon (LaToy) Folsom of Palm Harbor, Florida, Kevin Davis of Columbus, Benjamin Davis of Jonesboro, Georgia, Bradley Holden of Cincinnati, cherished Granddaughter Kia Folsom of Washington, DC, , and Roshonda Cooper of Irvington, New Jersey; 6 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Great Great Grandchild; Devoted Companion: Mrs. Della Oliver of Knoxville; 3 Sisters-in-Law Lena Boyd and Rosa Lee Burris both of Knoxville, and Willie (Horace) Everette of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; 2 Brothers-in-Law Charles (Jaunita) Burris of Huntsville, Alabama, and Paul (Mary Kate) Burris of Augusta, Georgia; Norris cousins including special cousins Brenda Norris of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Candace Norris of Columbus, and Anthony Norris of Mansfield; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Bill was also preceded in death by his wife Corrine Burris Folsom who died in October of 2003.

Services:
Friends may call Monday one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral services to be held in the Ruth Anna Lee Williams Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Services with Dr. Thomas Hunt of the Providence Baptist Church presiding and Bill's cousin Rev. Loretta A. Norris delivering the eulogy. Interment will be in Mansfield Memorial Park Cemetery with military services conducted at graveside. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Johnnie Larson Scholarship Fund at the Providence Baptist Church. The family will also receive friends at their home daily from 6-8 p.m. until the day of the funeral service.