WILLIAM G. FOSTER, SR.

Skidaway Island, Georgia

William G. Foster, Sr. (Bill) passed away peacefully at home early on March 18, 2024. Bill was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1933 to Fred and Ruth Foster. Bill attended local public schools and was a graduate of Savannah High School. He also attended Armstrong College Night School. He served 13 years in the Georgia Army National Guard and was a commissioned officer in 118th Field Artillery Battalion. Bill was formerly a member of the Savannah Volunteer Guards and currently the Chatham Artillery.

Bill married his teenage love, Peggy Byrd on February 14, 1954, and together raised two children, Linda and Bill, Jr. The family enjoyed their early years living on the beautiful Isle of Hope. Together, they shared many fun times with family and friends boating to coastal islands, adventurous camping trips, his favorite hobby “crabbing”,  fishing and his love for oysters!  Bill especially loved walking the beach and finding treasured sea shells.  One of his greatest joys was watching the sunrise.

Bill was a devoted, faithful Christian and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah before becoming a Charter Member of the Skidaway Island Community Church. He served on various Church committees and was a past Moderator of the Savannah Presbytery. He was also a past Commissioner to the Denominations General Assembly, and past Board Member of Presbyterian Homes of Georgia. In the early nineties, Bill was asked to share his expertise in the engineering field, to assist on a “Faith in Practice” mission trip to Guatemala to improve road and drainage improvements.

Bill began his employment with Thomas & Hutton Engineering as a land surveyor and quickly advanced during his forty-five years with the Company to become a major stockholder of the Company and the Chairman of its Board of Directors at the time of his retirement in December 1997. While with Thomas & Hutton he was instrumental with the development of Sea Pines Plantation on Hilton Head Island, The Landings on Skidaway Island, as well as the Sea Island Development on Sea Island, Georgia. He was a member of the Urban Land Institute, Chairman of the Georgia Region 12 Advisory Council, member of the Georgia Coastal Zone Advisory Council, member of the Wachovia Bank’s  Coastal Advisory Board, and a member of the Board of the Savannah Business, Education and Technical Alliance. Bill was a Charter member and past Director of the Rotary Club of Savannah South, a Paul Harris, Will Watt and Hue Thomas Fellow. He also served on the Advisory Board for the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens and was a former member of the Tybee Light Power Squadron.

In 1975, Bill and his family became early “settlers” of The Landings on Skidaway Island where he was active in community affairs. He served on The Landings Association Board of Directors, several community committees and served as The Landings Association Board President. Bill helped organize the Skidaway Island Division of the Southside Fire Department and later served on the Southside Fire Department’s Board of Directors as its President. Bill served on the Board of the Skidaway Health and Living Services, Inc. (The Marshes of Skidaway Island). He was a Charter Member of the Landings Club and a former member of the Landings Yacht Club. He was a former member of the Chatham Club as well as a former member of the Sea Island Club.

After their move to Skidaway Island the family acquired a second home on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Together they enjoyed all “the Golden Isles”  offered for many years. Bill was also highly active in community life there as well.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Peggy of Savannah. He is also survived by his daughter Linda Denhard and son-in-law David Denhard, Sr.; Granddaughter, Melissa Phillips (Scott); Grandson, David Denhard, Jr. (Brooke); Granddaughter, Landon Way (Charles); all of Savannah, Georgia. Bill is blessed with and is survived by six great grandchildren, all of Savannah, Georgia. Bill is also survived by his brother-in-law, Steve Byrd (Kim) of Savannah, Georgia. Bill also leaves behind a sister, Nancy Zarich of Florida and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased in death by his beloved son, William Foster, Jr. of Savannah, brothers, Fred Foster, Jr. of Savannah, Charles Foster of Tampa, Florida, sisters, Ruth Barnes of St. Petersburg, Florida and Julia Clanton of Savannah, Georgia.

Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2024, at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson location from 5 until 7 P.M. Funeral services will be held at the Skidaway Community Church on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. A private graveside burial  will take place immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Skidaway Community Church, or Skidaway Community Preschool, 50 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, Ga. 31411, or Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S. Broad Street, Clinton, SC  29325-9972.