William A. "Bill" Foster

FOSTER – William A. II, 91, of Hollywood, passed away Tuesday morning, May 11, 2010. Born in Jacksonville, FL, raised in Druid Hills in Atlanta, and graduated in 1940 from the University of Miami, where his aunt Dr. Bertha M. Foster was founding member of the Board of Regents in 1925, and his grandfather Judge William A. Foster was first Mayor of South Miami. He served in the Army during WWII from February 1941 to November 1945, first stationed at Camp Blanding, FL, later commanding a hospital train bringing the wounded home. Joined Coca-Cola in Chicago in 1946, where he met his wife Alice M. Abramsson in church. They married May 1947 and moved to Hollywood, June 1951. He joined twin brother Edward T. Foster and Lloyd Harris to form Foster and Harris Nursery and Landscaping Co.; in 1960 joined Obie Johnson and Ed Foster to establish Johnson-Foster Funeral Home, a mainstay on Young Circle for 30 years. In 1990 it merged with Fred Hunter Funeral Homes where he was Community Relations Director until his passing. From 1994 served as Master of Ceremonies at annual Fred Hunter’s Veterans and Memorial Day Services at Hollywood Memorial Gardens. During nearly 60 years in Hol...[more]

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60 years in Hollywood, Bill Foster was very involved in his community, and was affectionately called “Mr. Hollywood” by his peers. Member of Hollywood Rotary (59 years, President 63-64) and honorary member of Hallandale Rotary; Committee of 100 (57 years, Chair 1966); Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (31 years); Greater Hollywood YMCA (20 years), chairing three campaigns raising millions; Junto Club (20 years); Navy League of Hollywood (37 years); and Ducks Unlimited Ted Foster Chapter (21 years). He was a popular Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer for dozens of community groups for many years. Honors include: 1985 Citizen of the Year Award, Hollywood Beach Kiwanis; 1986 Community Service Award, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce; 1987 Man of the Year Award, YMCA; 1994 Founders’ Award, Chaminade-Madonna; 2002 Benefactor Award of Distinction, YMCA; 2009 City of Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency Award for Outstanding Contribution to the City; 2009 30th Anniversary Honoree, Hollywood Rotary Foundation. Elder and active member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (USA) for 30 years, and Commissioner, Town of Pembroke Park for 21 years. With children and friends created award winning Christmas Display from 1968 seen by tens of thousands each year, featured annually on local TV news, covered nationally on CBS by Charles Osgood, on the cover of 1400 newspapers through the Associate Press, featured in a Smithsonian Christmas exhibition in 1993, and was the centerfold of the Time-Life book Christmas Around the World in 2004. Preceeded in death by brothers Edward T. Foster in 1996 and Robert C. Foster in 1997. Survivors include wife Alice Foster, Hollywood; son, William A. Foster III and daughter in law Regina Foster, Santa Fe NM; son James E. Foster and daughter in law Irene Raj Foster, Vienna VA; daughter Marilyn Silvernale and son in law James Silvernale, Dania; sister Betty Jane Deadwyler and brother in law Joseph Deadwyler, Atlanta GA; grandchildren, Alisha Annathai Foster, Maia Dorothea Foster, and James Eric Foster Jr. of Vienna, VA, and many other devoted family members. He left a legacy of service that touched many in his lifetime. The family suggests that contributions be sent to the Hollywood Rotary Club Bill Foster Scholarship Fund.