Wilbur R. Foster

October 16, 1915

June 5, 2013

Wilbur R. Foster, 97, long time resident of Salado, passed away Wednesday morning, June 5, 2013, at his home in Salado. Born October 16, 1915, in Cedar Valley, Texas, to Forrest F. Foster and Minnie Jackson Foster, he was the oldest of four children, two brothers and one sister. 

Services were held June 7 at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton with Minister Joe Keyes officiating. Burial followed in Salado Cemetery. 

He married Jessie Mildred Lyndal Hamrick on May 14, 1938 in Belton, and they celebrated 75 years of marriage this year. Foster proudly served two years in the U S. Navy on the USS Radford in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Upon returning from the war, he established an automotive business in Salado, repairing vehicles and farm equipment, many times working late into the night to help a stranded motorist or person in need. 

After years in this business, he went to work for the Stagecoach Inn as maintenance manager, spending 20 years there in which he built their sewage plant and made many other improvements through the years. 

He was a leader in the Salado community, helping create the Salado Volunteer Fire Department and building Salado’s first fire truck. He also served as President of the Chamber of Commerce. 

Upon retiring from a full career in the automotive and hotel businesses, he couldn’t be idle, so he started building 1/16 scale replicas of stagecoaches, buggies and wagons. This was quite a feat since he was visually impaired. He never sold one, but joyfully donated them and was able to raise thousands of dollars for the community by the sale of them at charitable events. 

He became an artist of great renown in Salado and was recognized by the Salado Public Arts League with a special show of his work in 2011. 

Through the years, he made hundreds of these replicas which are proudly on display in homes and offices all over Salado and in many other places in Texas. 

His wife, Jessie, often helped him with the detailing of these replicas. 

Foster, along with his wife, was recognized on his 90th birthday by Governor Rick Perry with a presentation of a flag that had flown over the Capitol for service to his country and to the community. Afterwards, Foster presented the governor with one of his stagecoaches. 

As a member of the Salado Church of Christ, Foster helped build the previous church building in 1961 and the current church building in 1987

Preceding him in death were his parents and his brothers, Raymond Foster and Frank Foster. 

He is survived by his wife, Jessie, his daughter Lyndal Haney and husband James of Salado, and son, Morris Foster and wife Amanda, of Austin, sister Doris Lancaster of Temple, seven grandchildren, Greg Haney and wife Jan, Debra Alferos and husband Terry, Janna Russell, Lanna Domangue and husband Scott, Ryan Foster, Ralston Foster and Garrett Foster. He also has seven great grandchildren. 

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Salado Church of Christ at P.O. Box 207, Salado, TX 76571, or to the charity of your choice.

Dossman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.