William Foster, Sr.

William B. Foster, Sr., 91, (Maj. USAF Ret.) of Spartanburg, Westview community, died Friday, December 24, 2010, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born April 16, 1919, in Beaufort, SC, he was the son of the late Boyce Lee, Sr. and Maude Belle Hope Foster, who moved to Arcadia, SC in 1922. He was first married to the late Margaret Green Foster for 53 years. Major Foster retired from the United States Air Force on December 31, 1960, with 21 years of service. After serving 18 months at Albrook Field Panama Canal Zone, he entered pilot training in Texas, Kansas, and California. He was qualified to pilot a combat cargo CG 4A Glider and was trained to fly as co-pilot of a troop carrier C-47 aircraft. During World War II he was assigned to train in combat tactics and was attached to the Airborne paratrooper units. He participated in the D-Day Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, and also the Southern France invasion, resupplying the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, and crossed the Rhine River above Wessel Germany with the 17th Airborne Division. Following World War II days, Major Foster served as Air Base Director of Personnel, Squadron Commander, and Supervisor Inspector General's Team. Following his Air Force years, he received an SA degree in Secondary Education with majors in mathematics and psychology at Wofford College. He received a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Furman University, and was a teacher for 23 years in Spartanburg County. Surviving is his wife, Mary Ethel Golightly Foster, whom he married on March 17, 2001; a daughter, Brenda Taylor and husband Andrew of Rock Hill, SC; one son, William B. Foster, Jr. and wife Nancy Jo of Clemson, SC; four grandchildren, Keith Taylor of Marion, NC, and Kevin Taylor and his wife Michelle of Rock Hill, SC, Debra Adams of Winston Salem, NC, and Cassie Foster of Clemson, SC; five great-grandchildren, Madeline, Kathryn, Benjamin, and Keith Taylor and David Adams; one stepdaughter, Kay Cannon Cooksey and husband Harry; two step-granddaughters, Elizabeth Fambrough and husband Eric, and Emily Cooksey. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Donna Rae Taylor; a sister, Mildred F. Cantrell; and a brother, Boyce L. Foster, Jr. Visitation will be 12:00-1:45 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Asheton Amerson. Burial with Full Military Rites will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, 4455 Anderson Mill Road, Moore, SC 29369. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William B. Foster, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.