William Robert "Bob" Foster

William Robert "Bob" Foster, 82, of Somerset, Kentucky, passed away Friday, February 18, 2011 at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. He was born in Liberty, Kentucky on September 16, 1928, son of the late Albert and Grace Overstreet Foster. He was a graduate of Liberty High School, Lindsey Wilson College and Eastern State College. He married Mathal Dick Foster on May 20, 1948 and they began teaching careers at Science Hill Schools in 1950. They were blessed with twin girls, Sherrye and Gerrye on September 13, 1951. He began a career at Eldridge Truck Line as office manager in the fall of 1959, where he remained until 1974. He implemented and served in many careers, such as Valley View Grocery, Science Hill Dairy Mart, BBR Builders, Foster Trophies, Midway Wholesale and Preferred Advertising. His advertising business remains as Midway Advertising. His ongoing career throughout his life kept him active in the arena of officiating basketball for the KHSAA, OVC, SEC and other conferences. He officiated the Kentucky High School State Tournament many times and officiated the finals a record six times. He was the first assigning secretary for the 12th Region Officials. His love of basketball was evident as an avid fan of the University of Kentucky. He is to be named in March, 2011 to the 12th Region Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Science Hill Kiwanis Club, where he served as lieutenant governor of District 13 of the Kentucky-Tennessee District of Kiwanis International. He served as mayor of Science Hill from 1976 - 1988. He was former president of Eagles Nest Country Club, where he loved golfing with his friends and son-in-law, watching his grandsons excel in golf and tennis and many other activities. He was a devoted sports-minded grandfather who traveled and watched, state and US wide, golf and tennis matches, football games and cheer competitions. He was an active member of Somerset First United Methodist Church and served in various capacities. People always remarked whenever he sang, it was with great fervor and praise. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mathal Dick Foster, twin daughters, Sherrye & (Bob) Tucker of Somerset and Gerrye & (Clifford) Randall of Louisville, KY and two brothers, Paul Foster of Lexington, KY and Jimmy Foster of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Ryan & (Brandi) Tucker, Monica & (Brandon) Smith, Greg Randall and Neal Tucker and four great-grandchildren, Kannon and Bennett Tucker and Asher and Griffin Smith. A very special nephew survives, Greg Foster, along with many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Nick and John E. Foster. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Somerset First United Methodist Church with Rev. Terry Reffett officiating. Burial will be in Science Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be after 10 AM Tuesday at the church. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to First United Methodist Church and Portraits of the Cross, 99 South Central Ave., Somerset, KY 42501. Morris & Hislope Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.