William F. Foster, 80

GILFORD — William Forest Foster of Gilford, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2025, shortly after his 80th birthday, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, to his late parents William Edward Foster of East Sandwich and Mae Brenton of Brockton, Massachusetts. The second of four children and a U.S. Army veteran, Bill was a devoted Christian, loving husband, and proud father of three, grandfather of 10, and great-grandfather of two.

Bill was fun-loving, noble, kind, selfless and mechanically gifted, with a quick wit and a contagious sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, golf, camping and playing cards and games with dear friends and family.

He loved and served Jesus Christ, his personal Lord and Savior, and attended Faith Alive Christian Fellowship in Laconia. As a dedicated husband and father, he was forever loving and present — following in the footsteps of his father, William Edward, chief of p[olice in Sandwich.

Above all, Bill loved God, his wife Emily, and his family. When he met Emily Marie Bratsnyder, the city girl from Hartford, Connecticut, he was immediately smitten. He married “that pretty girl” in September 1968.

In the Army, William repaired tanks, helicopters and jeeps. He later worked for Colonial Gas for 28 years.

Bill and Emily raised three children and ran a successful business, Sunshine Toy Shop, from 1982 to 1994. In 1997, they answered God’s call, leaving everything behind to attend Rhema Bible Training Center in Oklahoma. They later returned to Cape Cod to found Lighthouse on the Rock Family Church, which they pastored together for 20 years.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Mission accomplished. Enter into glory and unspeakable joy of the Lord.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Emily B. Foster; his children, William Austin Foster (Norma), Rebekah Ann Benedict (Joseph), and Philip Albert Foster (Carrie); 10 grandchildren, Kimberly (Bobby), William, David, Joseph (Emily), Lauren (Sashko), Lilyanna, Drew, Andrew (Phoebe), Matthew and Darren; and two great-grandsons, Tobias and Liam. He is also survived by his siblings, Carol Tellegen, Nancy Koder and Austin Foster (Diane), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Emily’s cousin Fern Tryon, her husband Roger, and their six boys, with whom Bill and Emily enjoyed many camping trips.

Celebration of life services will be held in two locations. The first will take place in New Hampshire at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Faith Alive Christian Fellowship, 72 Primrose Drive, Laconia, followed by a light lunch. The second will be held on Cape Cod at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, at Landmark Revival Christian Church, 141 Falmouth Road, Suite 2, Hyannis, Massachusetts, with a military honors ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, off Connery Avenue, Bourne, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at samaritanspurse.org, or to Frontier Gospel Mission, 180 Stark St., Gilford, NH 03249.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.