Walter E. Foster

Walter E. Foster, 85, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He moved to Pine Bluff seven years ago with his wife, Natalie, of 66 years. He retired from the Post Office in Evansville, Indiana in 1988 after 37 years of service.

Sergeant Foster was a decorated veteran of WWII as a member of the 38th Division, “Avengers of Bataan” with the 163rd Field Artillery, Head Quarters Battery in the Philippines and New Guinea. He lied about his age in 1941 to join the Army after Pearl Harbor and was discharged early with service points in 1945.

Walter was a life long member of McCutchanville Methodist Church where he was a charter member of the Methodist Men, a Sunday School Teacher, and a youth sponsor. He also served as a Scoutmaster and Explorer Advisor for Troop 38. He was a member of the McCutchanville Volunteer Fire Department from 1947 until his health no longer allowed him to perform as assistant Chief. He continued to train fire fighters in first aid and was one of the first Red Cross advanced first aid instructors in the area.

His son, Bradley, died in November, but his wife, Natalie, and son, Wayne, in Pine Bluff survive him. He has a granddaughter, Kristin A. Cook in Vicksburg, a grandson, Matthew, in Memphis, and adopted grandchildren, Soo Jin Kim, Elissa Kim, Eugene Kim, and Jane Kim.