HR1434 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1434 LRB095 21844 KXB 52077 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of a man who was a well-known and respected part of State Capitol life, William "Bill" Foster of Springfield, who passed away on July 10, 2008; and

WHEREAS, William "Bill" Foster was born April 27, 1948, in Springfield, the son of Merrill and Olive Schell Foster; he married Linda Robinson on January 21, 1984, in Herrin; he graduated from Springfield High School and received his bachelor's degree in political science from Denison University, and his master's degree in public administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield; and

WHEREAS, He held various State government positions, including director of the House Democratic appropriations staff and deputy comptroller; in 1987, he founded the government relations firm William S. Foster & Associates and was co-founder and co-owner of the original Boone's Saloon; and

WHEREAS, Bill was active in community affairs, having served on the Capitol Township Board of Trustees, the Springfield Park Board, the board of the Springfield Airport Authority, and the board of the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame; he was a founding member of the Capital Area Sports Commission and assistant treasurer of the Illinois Association of Park Districts from 1979 to 1983; he coached youth basketball and soccer for 10 years and served as official scorer for Sacred Heart-Griffin girls basketball and volleyball from 2000 to 2004; and

WHEREAS, He served as LPGA State Farm Classic tournament chairman from 1989 to 1990, vice president of the LPGA State Farm Classic board of directors in 1991, president of the LPGA State Farm Classic board of directors in 1992, and chairman of the LPGA State Farm Classic board of directors from 1994 to 2001; from 1996 to 2001, he served in the LPGA Tournament Sponsors Association in various capacities; he was known fondly as "Foz" during his time with the Classic; the floating scoreboard on the 18th green at Panther Creek Country Club, where the Classic will be held starting on July 17, 2008, was christened the S.S. William F. Foster on July 11, 2008 in his honor; and

WHEREAS, He was a life member and past president of the American Business Club; and he was an accomplished writer and published several articles and booklets for the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; Bill Foster is survived by his wife, Linda; his daughters, Shannon (husband, Wes) Woodruff and Jennifer Foster; his son, Christopher Foster; his grandson, Jack Woodruff; his sister, Phyllis (husband, Scott) Baecker; his nephews, Bill and Mike Baecker; his two aunts, and his three cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the loss of Bill Foster and extend our sincere condolences at this time; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bill Foster as a symbol of our sympathy.