Franklin, NC – Bill Madison (Arnott W. Madison), 78, passed away Thursday, September 8th, 2016 at the Blue Ridge on the Mountain Nursing Home in Sylva from complications of pneumonia. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty (Kell) Madison, his son, Eric D. Madison of Reno, NV and a step-brother Chuck Mead of Binghamton, NY. Bill was born in Binghamton, NY to Arnott Madison and Emma Frye, a brother Gary Madison and a sister Sandra Madison who have all previously passed away. Although spending his childhood in Upstate New York and graduating High School in Jacksonville Florida, Bill always considered himself a Franklin native having lived here since 1959. After High School, Bill spent 3 years in the U.S. Marine Corp before meeting Betty. They married after only 3 months and spent the majority of their lives together in the Cartoogechaye area of Franklin. He was meat cutter by trade, working for almost every local grocery store and butcher shop in the area but the majority of his career he worked for Ingles and Nantahala Meats. Bill’s reputation as a skilled meat cutter caused many customers and restaurant owners to follow him to the different locations he worked over his 41 year career. In retirement, Bill enjoyed working for the Older American Program with the U.S. Forest Service where he helped maintain campgrounds and hiking trails. Bill was an avid fisherman and spent many weekends exploring fishing holes, ponds and lakes all over Western North Carolina; some of which weren’t always “open to the public.” He was always willing to tell stories of his fishing adventures including ones where he and friends had been chased away by private land owners, sometimes at gunpoint. He was constantly referred to as a “really good man” by his family, friends, and customers, always smiling, laughing and joking. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 25th at 2pm at Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Brian Southard and Eric Madison will officiate. Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at maconfuneralhome.com