Doyle Wayne Foster

Doyle “Wayne” Foster, 92, of Memphis, TN, passed away on September 18, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Jessie Lee Foster (nee Rollins). He is survived by his two daughters, Cheryl (Felix) Fransioli of Bolivar, TN and Debbie (Jerry) Fratini of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Benjamin Foster, Bud (Monica) Fransioli, Christopher (Michelle) Fransioli, Jeremy (Mike) Kreith, Beth Fratini, and Michael (Gaby) Fratini; nine great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth (Dan) Gipe and his brother, James Foster of Sacramento, CA. He was also preceded in death by his son, Ken Foster; grandson, Shane Foster; brothers, Henry (Alice) Foster and Gwynn (Lorene) Foster; and sisters, Lila (Andrew) DeVolder and Irma (Lance) Owens. Wayne, a World War II decorated combat veteran, served in Patton’s 3rd Army in the Rhineland and the Central Europe Campaign in 1945. He received the US Forces Certificate for capturing enemy equipment. Wayne experienced the horrors of war including the Dacaua concentration camp. After the war, he went to school under the GI Bill. He worked at Bry’s Department Store for 11 years as the Visual Merchandising Director. Later, he joined Holiday Inn as a National Contract Sales Manager in the Furnishing and Decorating Division. He and his staff furnished motels from coast to coast in the 1960’s. Wayne and Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson, Sr. developed the Holiday Inn Record Company. The first released record was “Rim Shot” by the Roller Coasters in 1961. After leaving Holiday Inn, he and his investment partners developed motels, nursing homes, and apartment projects throughout the southeastern United States. Their last project was St. Francis Nursing Home on Park Avenue in 1980. After retiring, Wayne enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and was affectionately known as “Pa Pa”. Even well into his nineties, he enjoyed cooking and taking care of others. Wayne was a member of Audubon Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, at Family Funeral Care on Summer Avenue, and the funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Bartlett. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com

Family Funeral Care

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