Billy Joe Foster

Billy Joe Foster, a pillar of strength and unwavering faith, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2024, in McAlester, Oklahoma. Born on November 7, 1934, in Dewar, Oklahoma, Billy lived a life marked by service to his country, devotion to his family, and a steadfast commitment to his faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Lee Foster, and Anna May (Berkey) Byrne, son, Rickey Dean Bird, and one brother, James Edward Foster.

Billy is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Rosa Lee "Jody" Foster, and their loving children: son William Joseph Foster of Tulsa; daughter Dorthea Elaine Foster of Keifer, Oklahoma; son Calvin Ray Foster and wife Debra of Tulsa; son Leslie Scott Bird and wife Jana of Elk Grove, California; and daughter Tracey Lee Sontag and husband Todd of Henryetta. He will also be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Anna Foster along with Xaiver Lee, Brandon Foster, Joseph Lee Foster, Rickey Bird Jr., Bryce Bird, Tate Lage, Willie Bird, Melanie Watson-Pigeon, Tabitha Sisco, Naomi Foster, Justine Stiffler, Colton Foster, Eli Foster, Leslie Reed, Levi Bird, Logan Bird, Grant Sontag, Emma Sontag, and Brock Sontag; thirteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Billy's sisters Katherine Oneal of Manchester, Connecticut, and Mary Stidman of Henryetta, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

A graduate of Victory Bible Institute, Billy was an ordained minister who dedicated a portion of his life to missionary work and pastoring the Word of Faith Church. His commitment to spreading faith and love was a testament to his character.

Billy proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps and the Air Force, a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. His dedication to his nation was paralleled by his commitment to his community, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor for the US Postal Service. His work ethic and leadership were admired by all who knew him.

His military service started out in the United States Marine Corp in the month of November 1951 through 1954. He was on duty during the Korean War from January 1952 to July 1953, where he served in the Marine Regiment 11th Unit as a forward observer and sniper. From July 1953 to November 1955 he guarded the ammunition depot at the Mcalester Naval Depot. He was placed in the reserves in 1955 until the year 1957, where he decided to join the Air Force. On the Altus Air Force Base, during the years of 1957 to 1962, Billy worked the flight line for the repairing and maintaining of the F-4 Phantom Fighter Jet for the Air Mobile Wing 97th Unit. After those years of working on the F-4 Phantom Fighter Jet, he then took part in the teaching of the repairs and maintenance from 1962 through 1963 for the Training Wing 81st Unit in Biloxi, Mississippi. For the following 4 years, from 1963 to 1967, Billy was called to the San Pablo Air Force Base where he worked at the telecommunications division for Spain and Turkey classified communication for Combat Defense 3973rd Unit in Seville, Spain. In 1967, he served at the Vandenburg Air Force Base, where he worked on Altus, Minute Man and Thor Missiles for the Unit Strategic Air Command in Lompoc, California until he was honorably discharged in 1969.

Viewing will be from 5-8 PM on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Integrity Funeral Service.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 8, 2024 at the First Church of the Nazarene in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at Westlawn Cemetery with military honors provided by the US Air Force and the Muscogee Nation Honor Guard.

Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Service.

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