Bill Foster

William Monroe “Bill” Foster, loving and devoted father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on October 18, 2024, in Anderson, Texas at the age of 80.

Bill was born on September 26, 1944, in Shiro, Texas, to Thurman Allie Foster and Addie Ardelle Hair.

Bill graduated from Anderson-Shiro High School in 1962 and went on to attend Sam Houston State University where he studied criminology. He began his career in law enforcement as a city of Bryan police officer and as a Texas Department of Corrections officer. He joined the Grimes County Sheriff’s Department in 1973. His greatest professional joy in life was being the Sheriff of Grimes County from 1978-1998.

Along with keeping the peace in Grimes County as the high Sheriff, Bill enjoyed serving his community as well. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, a member of Knights of Columbus, Council #4054, and president of the Circle 7 Trail Riders Association for many years. One can’t think of Anderson’s Texas Trek without thinking of the Circle 7 Trailride, which was always led by the Circle 7 wagon with Bill and Gary Gene Schroeder at the reins. Bill also enjoyed riding on the “big ride” to Houston every year with the Montgomery County Trail Riders Association (MCTRA) and is a lifetime member of that group.

If you knew Bill Foster, you loved him. He seemed “10 foot tall and bulletproof” to many, but for those who were lucky enough to truly know him, knew he was one of the most kind, tender-hearted, and loyal people you would ever meet. The stories that have been shared by people who have been helped by him over the years are overwhelming and are appreciated by the family greatly.

In his later years, Bill enjoyed raising cattle, enjoying his children, and attending all of his grandchildren’s activities. They adored their Papaw and he adored them.

Bill was a true legend in his time. He will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved him, but will never be forgotten. 

Preceding Bill in death were his parents, grandparents, stepfather (Walter Borski), stepsisters (Virginia “Tootie” Schaefer and Dorothy “Dottie” Rizzo), brothers-in-law (Pete Schaefer and Luke Rizzo), the mother of two of his children (Tracy Boone Krumrey) and one grandson, Ty Matthew Foster.

Bill’s family that will miss him greatly includes his daughter Amy Foster (and her mother Ann), daughter Somer Foster Zimmer (Marcus), and his son Matt Foster (Lori). His legacy will continue with his four grandsons, Christopher Richardson (Brenda May), Riley Foster, Tucker Foster, Jackson Sanchez, and his only granddaughter Parker Foster. He also, through the marriage of his oldest grandson, became a great-grandfather to a precious little girl named Millie May. Beyond this immediate family, Bill leaves nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends that will forever hold him in their hearts.

A celebration of life with family and friends will be held on Sunday, October 27, at 12PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Anderson, Texas. The family invites all of Bill’s friends to attend.