William ("Papa Bill") Foster died peacefully, surrounded by family, and with well-earned dignity on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Bill, first and foremost, was a devoted husband to his loving wife of 55 years, Kathleen Sweeney Foster, who survives him. Born on February 2, 1939, Bill's love of knowledge, his foundation of faith, his contagious laughter, his musical talents, and his penchant for promoting fun only begin to capture the essence of a life well-lived. His dedication to his children Erin E. Caruso (fiance Mark Brazel) of Mercer, and his son W. Scott Foster (wife Kristie) of Camp Hill, Pa., was best exemplified by the fact that the entire family often vacationed together and gathered frequently for all special and many invented occasions. So too, the family ended every phone call with "I love you." Bill had an insatiable appetite for knowledge and had the admirable ability to converse with anyone on any given topic. That love of knowledge and education spanned seven decades of his 82 years: 1960's as a teacher at Fort LeBoeuf High School, Waterford, PA; 1970's to mid-1980's as Assistant Superintendent at Fort LeBoeuf; and 1986-2000 as Superintendent of Shenango School District, New Castle, Pa. Following his first retirement in 2000, he was invited to join the Education Department at Grove City College as professor in 2001. Bill relished the opportunity to mold the minds and touch the hearts of the future educators enrolled in his courses until his second retirement in 2013. Papa Bill touched and enriched the lives of anyone that had the privilege to be in his sphere of fun and adventure. He especially inspired, encouraged, cheered, and celebrated his three granddaughters' many accomplishments. Granddaughters, Carley Caruso Fleck (husband Marcus) of Erie, PA; Drew Anderson of Nashville, TN; and Everly Foster, Camp Hill, PA, all cherish memories of cooking beef pot pie or stromboli, betting on Papa's race horses, singing along with him, driving in the golf cart, and participating in lively gatherings of family and friends, where Papa was the de facto catalyst of fun. They always knew that Papa was in the audience of many softball games, track meets, school plays, and theater productions--and his love was obvious, as he would well up with tears simply by being present for their special moment. At age 81, Papa's legacy expanded when he became a great-grandfather to Anniston Fleck. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, his beloved sister, Shirley Foster Doyle (husband Paul "Mike" Doyle) of Jacksonville, FL, and special family member, Carol Stump of New Castle, PA. Note, Bill was everyone's "Papa," as he adopted so many and brought them into his fun: dancing, playing his mandolin or guitar on stage or by a campfire, singing in choirs and barbershop quartets, generating laughter in others, and often laughing heartily at himself. Papa shared humble wisdom and always inspired and embraced growth, whether in a classroom, at a dinner table, on a drive, on a beach walk, or at a local watering hole. William Bill Foster served as an officer on various Boards, commissions, and charitable clubs wherever he lived and earned many awards. A particular award held close-to-heart was Bill's earning of Pennsylvania's "Music Superintendent of the Year." Music fueled Papa's spirit, and as Shenango Superintendent, he was committed to upholding the value and presence of quality music programs in the lives of learners. As the news of Papa's death circulated, the many refrains of those who knew him were that he was "everyone's best friend," "an intellectual giant," "a mentor," "a great boss," "a generous man," "a kind soul," "a pillar of the community," and "a man who knew how to give anyone a hug." Always modest, Papa's response to these accolades would be to quote his favorite epitaph inscribed on an old headstone in the Waterford Cemetery: "He done what he could." Papa Bill certainly did, and his family and friends can continue his legacy by living their lives in celebration. As part of that (and at Papa's request), the family will hold a celebration of his life at a later date rather than a funeral service. In lieu of flowers, a way to honor Bill's passions is to donate to the William Foster Memorial Music Scholarship at the Shenango Area School District in ℅ of Dr. Michael Schreck, Superintendent, or to the Retired Standard-Bred Horse Farm Foundation.