W.D. “Bill” Foresyth, age 99, passed away on May 18, 2018 in Gallatin, TN. Bill was born on May 26, 1918 in Brownsville, TN, the son of the late George Tolbert Foresyth and the late Kate Lee Childress. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marie Dean Merritt Foresyth, daughter Rebecca Ann Foresyth and brother Charles D. Foresyth. He is survived by daughter, Judy Marie Foresyth Elmore; granddaughters Monica Marie Elmore and Cortney Allene Elmore, nephews and nieces.
His mother died when he was four years old and at the age of 13 his father passed away. Bill was a graduate of Isaac Litton High School, where he was All City Football in 1937 and active in all sports. His senior year, he was elected to the student government council and his peers voted him “Best Personality.”
Bill was employed by South Central Bell Telephone Company and retired in 1981, completing 41 years of service. He served in the Navy and was a combat medic with the 1st Marine Division. Returning from the South Pacific, he volunteered for Patrol Torpedo Boats. After 14 months in the Aleutian Chain, he returned to the states. Though he seldom mentioned it, he was proud of his Native American Heritage. His maternal grandmother was a Cherokee Indian and some of her tribe were on the Trail of Tears March ordered by then President Andrew Jackson.
Bill was a long time Mt. Juliet resident and an avid outdoorsman and animal lover, strong willed with a zest for life, and was always young at heart. Bill was a 50 year plus member to the Doric Lodge #732 Free and Accepted Masons, also a 50 year plus member of the Scottish Rite. A Masonic service will be held Thursday evening. He was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. On his 90th and 92nd birthdays, he went skydiving. He lived an incredible life and deeply affected every person who came in contact with him. His sense of humor and encouraging words, and infectious smile were the same for everyone. Bill made time for the things in his life that were important to him, and he gave the greatest gifts of all to his family and friends.
Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, May 25, 2018 at one o’clock, Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall. Gathering of family and friends will be on Thursday from four o’clock until eight o’clock, and Friday two hours prior to the service at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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