Wilburn F. (Bill) Rev. Foster, Jr.

Rev. Bill Foster was born December 3, 1927 in San Antonio, TX, to Wilburn and Daisy Foster. He graduated with honors from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio. At the age of 21, he received Jesus Christ into his life, surrendered to full time Christian service, and was licensed to preach at Riverside Baptist Church in San Antonio. This life changing decision would totally change the course of his life. Bill graduated from Baylor with honors. During those years, he was involved in jail and street services and in the summers held positions as associate pastor and youth director at Hot Springs Baptist Church, San Antonio. After graduating from Baylor, Bill married Doris Ann Gummelt of Lorena, Texas, who attended Baylor and had surrendered her life to special service. Bill accepted the pastorate at South Elm Baptist Church near Cameron, TX and was ordained by the Memorial Baptist Church in Waco. Rev. Foster became the pastor of First Baptist Church, Purdon, TX and later the pastor of First Baptist Church of Coolidge, TX while also commuting to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, where he would graduate with a Master of Divinity Degree. After graduation, Bill and Doris moved to Poteet, TX. Their lives were enriched by the birth of their son, Preston. In addition to pastoring, Bill was enjoying hobbies related to science, mechanics, music, reading and fishing.

Ever since Bill had surrendered to preach, the call of missions burned in his heart, and Bill and Doris were ready to go anywhere God would lead them. Bill entered the U.S. Army Chaplaincy as a First Lieutenant. Soon after, they were blessed with their second child, Rebecca Ann. Bill graduated with honors from Chaplain School in Ft. Slocum, New York and began his chaplaincy at Ft. Hood, TX. From 1957-1959, Bill would serve as a U.S. Army First Lieutenant Chaplain in the 66th Armored Batt., Armored Division in Bavaria, Germany with his family accompanying him. After ending the tour, Bill pastored the First Baptist Church of Kerns, TX. He later served as interim pastor at Cottonwood Baptist Church, Lorena, TX and Water Street Baptist Church, Waxahachie, TX. Afterwards Bill pastored at Southern Crest Baptist Church in Dallas, which proved to be a very prosperous time spiritually for the congregation. He then pastored at Speegleville, Baptist Church, Waco, TX and later became the Assistant Pastor at Wynnewood Baptist Church, Dallas.

The means through which God would use Bill began to change. Bill became a Dallas County Juvenile Probation Officer and the creator and administrator of two innovative Federal Grants. During this time, he graduated from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX with a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Correction. Through the earlier call by God on Bill's life, along with experiences and people, Bill knew that God had prepared him for international missions and now was the time for Bill and Doris to pursue this call on their lives. The Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention commissioned Bill and Doris to go to Seoul, S. Korea where Bill served as an English language pastor. Later, Bill and Doris graduated from El Instituto De Lengua Espanola, San Jose, Costa Rica followed by Bill serving as assistant director and counselor for a correctional institution for young men in Zuila, Venezuela. Their next assignment was in Belize City, Belize pastoring an open air church, ministering on the streets with a keyboard and eventually carrying the cross in the streets of Belize City.

After returning to the states, Bill and Doris were involved in short term mission trips in Mexico and Brazil. Eventually moving back to San Antonio, Bill played the piano and sang at local nursing homes, preached on occasion at his home church, Crestview Baptist, Church, and taught some men's adult classes there. Bill and Doris later resided at the Wedgewood Sr. Living Apartments, San Antonio, where Bill until ten months ago played the piano, sang, and led a Bible Study weekly. Bill had an enthusiastic love for learning and pursued his love for knowledge with excellence. He enjoyed studying the origin of words, expanding his vocabulary, telling a good joke and even took motorcycle trips with Doris at one time.

The epitome of the Rev. Bill Foster in his own words was, "I want to do your will and serve you by serving others, because I love you and am grateful for all you, God, have done for me!!!" Bill was a humble man who didn't elevate himself but considered others before himself. Bill would tell you he had his share of weaknesses. Out of this attitude, God used Bill to encourage, help, teach, inspire and challenge others to be all God has purposed them to be. His family and friends love him dearly, will miss his smile, humor, piano playing and singing.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Harmon, Dr. Matchell, Dr. Melo, Dr. Agha, Dr. Kapturczak, a team of doctors from Methodist Specialty Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, and care givers from Morningside Ministries.

Rev. Foster is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 64 years, Doris Foster; son, Dr. Preston Foster, M.D. and wife, Lisa; daughter, Becky Clanton and husband, David; sister, Dr. Betty Lou Schroeder, P.C.; grandchildren, Kara Foster, Paige Foster, Sarah Clanton and husband, Michael, Elizabeth King and husband, Samuel and Joshua Clanton; niece, Carol Redding and husband, Philip; grandniece, Callie Redding; grandnephews, Cameron Redding, Cody Redding and wife, Sarah and great-grandnephew, Colton Redding.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary on McCullough Ave.

SERVICE

FRIDAY

JULY 31, 2015

8:45 A.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

Interment in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Rev. William Simpson officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate memorials to Cottonwood Baptist Church, 886 FM 2643, Lorena, TX 76655.