Bill Foster

Bill G. Foster, 86, of 1422 Buntin, Vincennes, passed away at 9:15 am Friday, May 6, 2011 in Good Samaritan Hospital. He was born December 13th, 1924 in Princeton, Indiana to Louis Elwood and Maude (Pierce) Foster.Following military service in WWII, he worked for Chrysler Corporation in Evansville. Bill then worked for Montgomery Ward for 32 years in Vincennes and worked as building director at the Neighborhood Facilities Building for 10 years where the kids called him Mr. Bill.On May 17, 1952, he married Winifred D. "Winnie" Westfall. They had 57 Wonderful years together. Winnie preceded Bill on July 4, 2009.Surviving are his children, Dennis Foster (Abby) of Reistertown, MD, Pamela Turner of West Valley City, UT, three grandsons, Blake Parker, Matt Turner, Mike Turner (Theresa), four great grandchildren, Arie Turner, Mati Turner, Breeanna Turner, and Nicholas Turner, and a sister, Betty Jo Lindy.Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, a son, Paul Parker, a sister, Mary Alice Kimbrough, four brothers, Louis Elwod, Jerry Lee, Frank Forrest, and John Gilbert Foster.Bill was a member of the Indiana Presbyterian Church and was a disabled Army veteran of WWII. He was a sergeant and a combat veteran with service in the European Theatre. His combat service included the invasion of Normandy France in 1944. His awards included the Purple Heart for wounds he received in Germany, plus the European Combat Ribbon and four Bronze Battle Stars.His service time included 19 months spent in hospitals in Belgium, France, England, and the United States. Bill was very active in Veterans organizations for over 65 years. His memberships included the V.F.W. Post 1147 in Princeton, American Legion Post 73 and American Legion Post 1147, the DAV Chapter 10 of Vincennes, and was a six time Commander of American Legion Post 73 in Vincennes. He was a 30 year member of the Legions Board of Directors, held offices in the 7th District of the American Legion, and for many years he chaired the Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs in Vincennes.He was involved in the annual fireworks program for many years and in 1974 he co-founded the July Forth Festival Association of Knox County where he served as President. The festival sponsored the July 4th parade for 19 years where his wife was parade chairman. Some of the parades had over 200 entries. Among the parade Grande Marshalls, she had Governors Otis Bowen, and Evan Bayh, singer Brenda Lee, Green Acres Alvy Moore, Wish Upon A Star founder Carl Wallace and others. Bill was a committee member to make Vincennes an All America City, and worked with the Old Northwest Corporation to coordinate the activities during our Country's By-Centennial celebration in 1976. In 1977 the festival association presented the Spirit of 76 Award, and in 1999 Bill and Winnie were co-winners of the Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous "Long Life Award".Bill was an avid golfer in his younger days and served on the Board of Directors at the Bicknell Country Club.Funeral services will be held Monday, May 9 at 10:30am at the Indiana Presbyterian Church with Cheryl Thorne officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 Sunday at Goodwin Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the GSH dialysis unit. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com.