William M. 'Bill' Foster

William M. “Bill” Foster, 89, Macon, MO, passed away Friday, June 12, 2009, at Macon Samaritan Memorial Hospital, following a broken hip which occurred on his 89th birthday. He was born May 24, 1920, in Texhoma, OK, the son of Traber and Lanora (Gwin) Foster.

On Oct. 3, 1941, in Yuma, AZ, in a double wedding with his brother, Howard, and Mary Foster, he was united in marriage to Mable E. Zach.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of sixty-seven years; two brothers, Howard and George and a son-in-law, David Decker.

Bill graduated from LaCygne High School in LaCygne, KS.

From 1941 to 1945, William served in the United States Army in the South Pacific, New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Ryukyus before being honorably discharged on Dec. 5, 1945, at Fort MacArthur, CA.

He was employed in the agriculture equipment business his entire work career including part owner of Foster-Unruh John Deere in Montezuma, KS, and employed with John Deere and Massey-Ferguson. He retired as District Sales Manager for Massey in 1983 and moved to El Dorado Springs, where he and Mable enjoyed 25 years in their home. He moved to Bristol Manor
Assisted Living in Macon, in October of 2008.

Bill was active in many service organizations and was a 50 year member of the Freemasons. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in El Dorado Springs.

He was considered a handy man who was always quick to help a friend and he enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.
Bill is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Peggy Foster - LaPlata; one daughter, Marsha Decker - Republic; four grandsons - Bill Foster, and wife, Tina - Macks Creek, Jon Foster - St. Louis, Ronnie Foster, and wife, Dawn - St. Louis, and Matt Zammar - Kansas City; four great-grandchildren - Kyle, Jacob, Brandy and Emily Ann Foster; three sisters - Mildred Howard - Tyler, TX, Jean Mason - Mt. Vernon, TX, and Joy Freeman - Littleton, CO; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Streit - Portland, OR, and Bernice Zach - Lockwood; and many other extended family members and friends whose company he greatly enjoyed.

Bill has been cremated and a graveside memorial service in his honor will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at the 96 Cemetery in LaCygne, KS.

Memorial donations may be made to Victory Mission, P.O. Box 2884, Springfield, MO 65801.

Arrangements were taken care of by Travis Funeral Chapel, LaPlata.