Walter O. “Wally” Foister, age 69, resident of Woodcockboro, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA. Born on September 22, 1943 in Ohio, Walter was a son of the late Walter Edward Foister and Nellie Tate Foister. He married the former Bonnie Fortney on March 14, 1964 and she survives.

Foister, Walter O. Wally graduated from Cambridge Springs High School in 1963 where he was active in basketball and football. His first employment opportunities were at Meadville Malleable and at Turners Mill in Cambridge Springs. In 1983 he became employed at NWREC as a mechanic and continued there until 2001.

Wally was a church drama actor in numerous plays at several local churches. He was a woodshop hobbyist and made gifts for family and friends and enjoyed golfing and bowling with them as well. He also enjoyed driving his 1953 Ford F-100 in parades, and going to auction and yard sales in search of tools. In earlier years, he played in several baseball leagues and coached his son in little gridders and little league baseball. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan.

Wally was affiliated with the First Church of God in Cambridge Springs where he was active, occasionally filling the pulpit as lay speaker and where he served as a youth leader for many years. Over the years he plowed snow from the church’s’ parking lot in the winter. Wally also liked to be Santa Clause for the Christmas for Kids program.

He was preceded in death in addition to his parents by two brothers – Al Foister and Thomas Foister and a sister – Emma Baldwin. Survivors in addition to his wife, Bonnie, include a son – Wally Foister and his wife, Linda of Saegertown and their children – Jason and Megan Foister and a daughter – Deb Foister of Cambridge Springs and her daughter, Amanda Colvin of Pittsburgh and her fianc???, Keith Zielen. Also surviving are two sisters – Donna Higley of Meadville and Vi Byers and her husband, Bob of Meadville; two brothers – Hank Foister and his wife, Joyce of Ohio and Jerry Foister and his wife, Karen of KY; numerous nieces and nephews and his new best friend, a dog named Holly.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services there on Wednesday at 10:00. Reverend James Callender, pastor of the First Church of God in Cambridge Springs will officiate. Interment will be in Mitchell Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Christmas for Kids program, c/o John Anderson, 26405 Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.