William Edward (Bill Ed) Foster, MD lovingly known to many he cared for as "Doc" joined our Lord May 10,2023 at his residence in Houston, Texas. Bill Ed was born in Kingsville, Texas at the old Kingsville hospital on October 5, 1931. His parents were Henry Wayne and Bertha Martin Foster. He moved about South Texas as a young boy living in Bishop, Donna and Benavides, finally landing in Bishop where he attended Bishop High School with many who would become lifelong friends. He graduated from Bishop High School in 1950 and where he was active in athletics, band and scholastics. He was that tall good-looking lanky kid with a mischievous smile he never lost. After high school, he attended Schreiner Institute on an athletic scholarship playing basketball.
On January 14, 1953, he married his Kindergarten sweetheart, Shirley Patrick in Bishop, Texas. He volunteered for the U. S. Air Force, was stationed at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas. While serving in the Air Force he also attended San Antonio Jr. College, then transferred to the University of Texas Pharmacy School in Austin, Texas graduating with a degree in Pharmacy. Bill Ed and Shirley had a son in 1957 while in Austin - Melvin Wayne Foster. While working as a pharmacist, Bill Ed went on to Medical School at U.T Medical School in Galveston. Following Medical School, he interned in Corpus Christi before returning to Kingsville, to make his new home. Shortly, daughter, Dianne Foster Gilbert was born in 1963. Bill Ed went into practice with L.E. Ramey, MD for several years, then ventured into private practice at Angle Road Medical Center. He was particularly proud that he had delivered as many as 3 generations of families from the surrounding area - watching miracles happen was one of his favorite things. He also enjoyed working simultaneously as the "Quack Shack MD" at Texas A&I University over the years. They never missed a Hoggies home football game! After he retired from his private practice, he continued to work in the Emergency Room at Christus Spohn Hospital in Kingsville continuing to practice medicine and see many familiar faces until he was ready to fully retire.
Bill Ed was a rancher of Beefmaster cattle; an avid hunter and he had a strong love of Texas wildlife. He enjoyed traveling with friends to Mexico and was a great fan of anything basketball, football, or tennis. He enjoyed having his hands in the dirt - having flowering plants around made him happy. He delighted in bringing Shirley small bouquets of wildflowers every time he would go to the ranch. Bill Ed was a member of many organizations including but not limited to Texas Medical Association, Beefmaster Breeders Association and the American Legion.
William Edward Foster was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Bertha Foster, his sister, Patsy Foster Banish and his only son, Wayne Foster. He leaves behind his best friend and wife, Shirley P. Foster (Houston), his daughter and favorite son-n-law, Dianne Foster and Scott Gilbert and his grandson Jay Foster and Keeli Gilbert (all of Houston). His daughter by heart, Joann Elliott Wright (McAllen). Wayne's children, Tiffany and Blu Dornan (Stephenville), Trishia and Rusty Aucoin (New Iberia) with great grandsons, USMC LCpl Caleb C Aucoin, Jacob, and Colton. Amy and Honor Garza (New Iberia) with great grandchildren, Makayla, Cody, Makenzie, Kyle, and Casey, and William Wayne and Ayshia Foster (Kingsville). We will have a celebration of life on June 24, 2023 at 2PM in the afternoon at First Christian Church (aka Baptist Temple) at the corner of Brahma Blvd and Ailsie. Please join us.