Billy Dale Foster

May 28, 1931 – April 24, 2020

Billy Dale Foster was born in Hollis, OK in 1931 to H.W. "Bill" and Grace (Tipton) Foster, the third of four children.  He lived in and around Dodson and Wellington, TX during his early years, and moved to Guymon, OK in 1944. He graduated from Guymon High School in May 1948 at age 16, was the class President and was the youngest member of his graduating class. Billy attended Panhandle A&M (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University) for two years, where he was a champion on the debate team.

Billy transferred to the University of Oklahoma in 1950, but his education was interrupted by the Korean War. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he proudly served as an Air Traffic Controller in Edenton, NC and in Japan until December 1953.  Following his discharge, Billy returned to OU and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1956. Billy's love for OU was legendary among his friends and family-- neighbors would know football season had begun when they heard Boomer Sooner blaring from his stereo.

Following his graduation, Billy moved to San Diego, CA and joined Security Pacific National Bank, where he spent most of his career as a branch manager. In San Diego, Billy met the woman who captured his heart, and wed Josephine Ann (JoAnn) Guarnotta in 1965. They had two children, Brenda and Brent.

Family was at the forefront of Billy's life, and was the guiding principle for every decision he made.  During his Marine Corps service, he crisscrossed the country, usually hitchhiking, to see family whenever he had leave. After he moved to San Diego, he traveled with his wife and children to Oklahoma and Texas often, so they could develop the same close ties with extended family there.

Billy's friendships were as strong as his family ties, they lasted generations and grew more solid through the decades. All knew him as a man of his word, whose door was always open, who could always be counted on, and who could regale a room full of family and friends with stories that never got old, just better each time they were told. His homespun humor was light-hearted and wry, with a sting of truth. Billy was generous and selfless, always helping and giving.

Billy is preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Maurine and Chester Philippe. He is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter Brenda Kraft (Rob) and grandchildren Sara and Henry, his son Brent (Stephanie) and grandchildren Ariel, Gage and Selene, his sister Aleta Davis, his brother John (Mina), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Billy will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery and a memorial service will be held once current restrictions are lifted. If you wish, donations may be made in memory of Billy D. Foster to the Memorial Scholarship Fund at The University of Oklahoma Foundation P.O. Box 258856 , Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856 or online at https://giving.oufoundation.org/OnlineGivingWeb/Giving/OnlineGiving/MemSchol .