William Foster

Obituary of William Foster

William James Foster, Sr of Hilton Head, SC died suddenly on January 19, 2018. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Grace and Lewis Foster on March 15, 1938. Bill was raised in Brooklyn. He was a member of Homecrest Presbyterian Church and graduated from James Madison High School where he met his wife, Carolyn Ruth Jensen. They were married for fifty-eight years. After graduating from New York University, Bill spent the next thirty years working in the retail industry in New York City. He and Carolyn made their home in Massapequa, Long Island where they raised their three children. Bill and Carolyn were very active in The Farmingdale Methodist Church, Little League baseball, football and many organizations in the community. Bill was a wonderful and loving dad. Carolyn, Bill and family vacationed on Hilton Head and after their first visit bought a lot in Greenwood Forest in Sea Pines with plans to retire in the future. After one snow storm too many they sold their house in Massapequa and headed to Hilton Head where they both started new careers. Bill worked in the greeting card industry working on the Island and other parts of SC where he made many friends. After retiring for the second time, Bill and Carolyn traveled, which they loved. The highlight of their trips was taking all their children and grandchildren to London a total of fourteen people for a week. Bill was a member of Providence Presbyterian Church for over twenty years and involved in many activities in the life of the church. Bill is survived by his wife Carolyn, son William James Foster and his wife Kathy, grandson Jeremy, his wife Sarah, John French and his wife Maryann and three wonderful loving granddaughters, Morgan in Ohio, Emma and Melissa from NYC. Bill felt so blessed because his daughter, Cindy Ruth and her husband James Steinmetz moved to Hilton Head and both their children, Christian James and Jacqueline Ruth were born here. Bill loved being involved with their school and church activities on Hilton Head. He is preceded in death by his beloved son Gary Richard, who he called the “cream in the cookie” as he was their middle child. Bill is survived by his sister Carole and her two sons Roy and Dean Martinus and their wives and children. Bill also has a brother-in-law Bruce Jensen, his spouse Carol, a sister- in-law Norma and brother-in-law Wayne Oakes and many wonderful nieces and nephews living on Hilton Head, Bluffton and New York Bill and his wife Carolyn had recently moved to The Seabrook Retirement Community. After only a few months they were settled in and Bill was involved in their many activities. A Celebration of Bill’s life will be celebrated at The Seabrook on Friday, January 26th at 4;00 pm followed by a reception in the living room of The Seabrook House. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill on Hilton Head, 117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head 29926. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of William Foster Sr, please visit our Flower & Gift Shop.
A Memorial Tree was planted for William
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at The Island Funeral Home & Crematory
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