Willie Foster

Published 2:52 pm Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Willie D. Foster was born in Varnado on June 4, 1926, to the union of Luke Kelly Foster and Lena Mae Mondy Foster. He spent many of his growing up years with his grandparents, Moses and Reina Mondy.

He attended school in Varnado and accepted Christ at an early age while attending Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Willie D. was united in holy matrimony to Arlethia Pack Foster on Oct. 12, 1946, and to this union they were blessed with five children.

Willie D. served in the U.S. Army during World War II, spending time in the Philippine Islands. In 1950, after an honorable discharge from the Army, Willie D. and Arlethia moved to Los Angeles, Calif., and later to Compton, Calif.

While in California, Willie D. worked for over 30 years at Rockwell International, later purchased by Boeing. After retiring to Varnado in 1990, Willie D. and Arlethia united with New Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully. He loved to garden, he raised cows until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his fencing, and he was the caretaker of the Robinson Cemetery for over 25 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents; his wife of nearly 68 years; his two brothers, O’Neal and Vernon Foster; and his son-in-law, Marcus Boyer.

He is survived by his sister, Lillian Roberts of Varnado; sisters-in-law, Shirley Foster of Varnado and Claretta Foster of Los Angeles; his five children, Carolyn Boyer of Fontana, Calif., Willie Jean (Amos) Young of Bogalusa, Daniel (Marie) Foster of Menifee, Calif., Douglas Foster and Reginald Foster of Long Beach, Calif.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation was on Friday, March 22, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., with a family gathering from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home. The funeral service will be on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Missionsry Baptist Church in Angie, with the Rev. Linza Cotton officiating.