William Foster

William Ewing Foster, local farmer, passed away on December 8, 2012 surrounded by family in Casa Grande, Arizona.
He was 81 years old. He was born April 6, 1931 in Cross, Texas. His family moved from Texas to Florence, Arizona in 1940 where he lived until graduating from Florence High School. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served from January 1951 until his separation December 1953 after serving in Korea.
He returned to Florence and then settled in Casa Grande and was employed by the Water and Utility companies until 1958. He married Peggy Joyce Galloway Golston in April 1958. He and Peggy farmed in Eloy, Arizona and lived in Casa Grande and raised their family. He was also co-owner of Kachina Redi Mix, a concrete company, with his brother-in-law, Amos Hawkins. After retirement Bill and Peggy spent many summers in San Diego sailing and also traveling to Europe and their particular favorite counties: England, Scotland and Ireland. Later, they purchased a second summer home on Whidbey Island, Washington and enjoyed many summers sailing their boat, the Peggy J., through the San Juan Islands, also visiting Victoria and Vancouver, Canada with family and many friends who enjoyed their times with them on the Island and the Pacific Northwest. They continued to spend their winters in Casa Grande surrounded by family and friends. Bill Foster's many interests included sailing, photography, art, silver and jewelry design. He was also a car collector. He enjoyed British MGs and Morgans especially, and belonged to two car clubs, going to a number of rallies.
He was preceded in death by Peggy J. Foster in October of 1999 in Portland, Oregon and earlier by his father Homer C. Foster and mother Thelma McKee Foster, his sister Mary Hawkins and brother Cliff Foster, all of Florence, Arizona.
He is survived by his children: Sharman Wixon of Apple Valley, Minnesota; Claude E. (Ed) Foster and Steven Foster of Casa Grande, Arizona; and Randy Foster of Los Angeles; and four grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Casa Grande Mountain View Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow the service at the former Foster family home, now Tommy's Bistro, at 913 E. 8th Street, Casa Grande.
The family, in lieu of flowers, requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the Make A Wish Foundation.
J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud the Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.