William Forster, Jr.

William "Bill" Forster, Jr.
Greenville, SC

William "Bill" Forster, Jr., 84, of Greenville passed away on December 19, 2011 at his home with his loving wife by his side.

Bill was born on March 8, 1927 in Mineola, NY. He is the son of the late William Forster, Sr. and the late Anna Moore Forster.

A veteran of the US Army, Bill graduated from Hofstra University and continued his studies at New York University and The University of Paris-Sorbonne. In the 1950's he accepted a position at the United Nations in New York City which lead to being appointed to the US Embassy in Paris, France. During which time he traveled extensively throughout Europe and fell in love with Switzerland where he continued to travel to bi-annually. After his tenure at the US Embassy, he returned to the US to begin a foreign auto parts business in Connecticut and became a private investor.

In 1982 Bill married Isabel Thomas, retired, and moved to Greenville where he became involved in the community attending Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, being a patron of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, The Greenville County Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Arts Council, as well as the Audubon and Humane Societies. Bill was an avid reader and always interested in good conversation, current events, and world situations.

Surviving is his wife Isabel Thomas Forster; a step-daughter, Kellee Thomas-Garlin and her husband Tom, of AZ; a step-son, Craig Thomas and his wife Denise of OH; grandchildren Allan & Megan Thomas and Emillee & Brooke Garlin.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held from 6:00pm - 8:00pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at the Commerce Club of Greenville. A memorial service will be conducted at 4:00pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Chapel of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Greenville Humane Society; The Greenville Symphony Orchestra; The Greenville County Museum of Art.

Arrangements by the Mackey Mortuary