Birth date: Jul 19, 1938 Death date: Jan 14, 2025
William Myles Foster, 86, of East China Township, passed away on January 14, 2025 after a lengthy illness. Bill was born on July 19, 1938 in Alpena, Michigan to Myles and Gayle Foster. After graduation from Alpena High School in 1 Read Obituary
This was published in the St. Clair County Library System newsletter. Bill was a Library Board member.
Bill Foster was my 8th grade football coach at Gilbert Junior High in Algonac in 1966. So many fond memories of “Coach”. He was the best. Dan Reid- Algonac HS 1971.
My husband and I had a 45+ year friendship with Bill and Dorothy. One of my favorite memories was driving to Sandusky, MI, to watch the Annual Lighted Farm Implement Parade. We packed snacks and hot chocolate. We always dressed in layers. We had never seen anything like it! Both Bill and my husband were voracious readers and often exchanged books. Both men enjoyed sports of all kinds and discussed them often. Meals together following a theater performance or Thanksgiving were always enjoyable.
A second favorite memory was Camp Otchipot. This was Bill's idea to bring the sixth graders together as they came to Algonquin from different elementary schools in the district. Each group went to Port Sanilac for a week of indoor and outdoor activities. I was shocked when he asked if I would go as I taught only eighth graders. My idea of "roughing it" was a black and white TV at a Holiday Inn at that time. I was never an outdoor person. I decided to give it a try. Bill worked every day in the district and came up to camp every evening. He would drive back to Algonac early the next morning. The process was repeated for both of the one-week sessions. He built campfires and led the sing-a-longs. He organized a Counselor Hunt in the dark for the campers and high school counselors. Dorothy would bring the film, projector and screen to camp for our weekly movie night. In the evening, we would sit in our cars facing the cabins to catch the male campers trying to raid the girls' cabins and flash our headlights at them. Bill truly wanted the middle school students to bond and have a new experience together. It was exhausting!
Bill genuinely liked people. He worked hard to support his high school reunions. He enjoyed playing poker. He always volunteered to accompany the Winning Warriors to Cedar Point at the end of each school year. He was always enthusiastic to join field trips to various theaters to introduce our students to live performances, including Hilberry, Meadow Brook, and the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. He supported his community by being a life-long member of the Lions Club, managing the pool, serving at the shrimp dinners, working to set up the Pickerel Tournament and picking up trash every morning, and was even certified to handle fireworks. He had high expectations for students and staff and was a fierce negotiator. He enjoyed golf, duck hunting, fishing, and boating. His photographic memory was a real asset. He was fair, honest, hard-working and never stopped learning or teaching. He loved his family and was proud of their accomplishments. Even after his retirement, he continued to serve his community; he was on the boards of both the St. Clair County Library System and the St. Clair County Parks and Rec. We have lost a true and loyal friend.
He was one of the best! We chatted often too at the Lions Pool where worked as a lifeguard in the summer. I don’t remember for how long. I’m honored to have had him as a teacher
I temember Bill and his parents and sister very well from the years in which we all grew up in Alpena, seeing each other at school or at church. He appears to have had a rich and interesting life , certainly making a difference in the lives of others. May your good memories of him be a blessing.
Ellen Runkel Eagan
I currently teach at the former Algonquin Middle School (now Algonquin Elementary). Whenever I’m in the library I see his picture and it brings me back to the many conversations I had with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Foster family.
My first teaching job was under the supervision of Bill Foster. Although I found him intimidating, he proved to be a good and fair principal who protected his staff fiercely Years later whenever I chanced to run into him he always remembered me and was gracious m, friendly and cordial. All I conclude with is , “Well done, good and faithful servant “
It was my honor to have been Bill’s student, mentee and friend.
Bill was as honest and loyal of person as there is.
Algonac Community Schools is a better district to have had Bill for 48 years of active service and always its greatest advocate.
It was an honor and a privilege to know Bill Foster. He served as a mentor and friend during much of my career in education. He was an incredible sounding board and told you the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not.
Kids were always first. It didn't matter who your parents were or where they lived. Every student was given respect, along with a good dose of attitude adjustment when necessary. He had a great sense of humor and was a walking dictionary. If he didn't know something, you could find him in the school library, looking for the answer. He admired people who had talents, whether a bird carver, an artist or the shop teacher.
His name and Algonac are synonymous.
If you held a degree from Eastern Michigan University, his litmus test question was, "Are you a Huron or an Eagle?"
I'm attaching photos of his retirement party at Algonquin Middle School (which he first opened).
May he rest in peace. His work is done.
Ilene MacDonald
