Billy Glen Foster

Dr. Billy Glen Foster of Kyle, Texas, died peacefully on Thursday, August 25, 2022. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the Manchaca United Methodist Church, 1011 FM 1626, Manchaca, Texas. A graveside inurnment service will be held in Canton, Texas at Hillcrest Cemetery Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 am.

Born on March 6, 1932, in Canton, Texas, to Marcus Glenn and Mary Christine Mills Foster, Bill graduated from Canton High School in 1949 before joining the US Air Force to serve during the Korean Conflict.

Bill met his future wife Betty Carolyn Clements of Denton, Texas, when they both attended North Texas State College. They married June 6, 1954. Bill completed his undergraduate degree in biology at NTSC and went on to teach science and serve as assistant coach of football and basketball at Canton High School in Canton, Texas. He later returned to North Texas to complete his Masters degree. He completed his PhD in Public Health at the University of Iowa in 1965.

Bill moved his young family back to Texas to take a position as professor at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. With his wife Betty and three sons, Daniel, David, and Bryan the family became a part of the community and were soon blessed with a daughter, Mary Carolyn, in 1966. At Texas A&M Bill taught microbiology and immunology for 31 years, becoming a full professor and serving for several years as interim head of the Biology Department. Among other honors, Bill was elected as Distinguished Professor in Teaching by the TAMU Former Students Association. He authored 40 scientific papers.

On retirement, Bill and Betty moved to Tyler, Texas, where Bill became an active member of the Van Zandt County Genealogical Society, serving twice as president. Bill authored 25 bound volumes of family history, including The Foster Family of Flanders, England, and America.

Bill and Betty have been faithful members of different Christian churches throughout their lives together. They have most recently cherished belonging to The Manchaca United Methodist Church of Manchaca, Texas, near Austin where Betty is still an active member.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus Glen and Mary Christine Foster of Canton, Texas, his older sister Jean Foster Dove and her husband Joe Dove of Van, Texas, his brother, Travis Foster and wife Judy of Brownsboro, Texas, and brother Joe Foster of Rowlett, Texas.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty Carolyn Clements Foster; his son, Daniel Marcus Foster with his wife Christine Palumbo Foster of Austin, Texas; son David Glen Foster of Lytton Springs, Texas; son Bryan Foster with his wife Anne O'Neill Foster of Lawrence, Kansas; and daughter Mary Carolyn Doherty with her husband Bobby Jack Doherty II of Kyle, Texas. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law Kim Foster, wife of his late brother Joe Foster, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous beloved nephews and nieces.

The family requests those who wish to make a donation in Dr. Foster's honor send a contribution to Magnolia Hospice, Pflugerville, Texas.