1919
William
2009
William James Foran
October 28, 1919 — October 10, 2009
William James “Bill” Foran left this world to join his beloved wife of sixty-one years, Roberne, October 10, 2009, just a few days short of his 90th birthday. His quick wit, keen mind, deep loyalty, work ethic, sense of duty and strong leadership will be missed by his family and many, many friends.
Bill was born in Rock Valley, Iowa, October 28, 1919, to James and Inez Foran. At Bill’s birth, Bill’s father promised Bill’s mother he would locate his pipeline construction permanently to one town, allowing his family to quit a more nomadic life. As a man who was true to his word, the elder Foran soon settled in Amarillo. A few years later, a brother, Joseph Donald, was born in Amarillo, completing the family unit. Neither the business nor the family has moved since.
Upon graduating from Amarillo High School in 1937, Bill started at Texas A&M in the Class of 1942, studying for a civil engineering degree. He was in the Corps of Cadets and the Famous Texas A&M Band. When World War II broke out, Bill and several classmates, who became his lifelong friends, were activated and commissioned in the army together on May 15, 1942. Bill was assigned to the 47th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Armored Division and saw action in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge and Huertgen Forest. His unit was the lead division in the breakout at St. Lo by General George Patton’s Third Army on the Normandy beachhead; Bill himself fired the first artillery rounds across the Rhine River on March 3, 1945 near Krefelt, Germany and on V-E Day his division was at the Elbe River, the closest Allied division to Berlin. Bill’s decorations included the Bronze Star, the Luxembourg Croix de Guerre, all five battle stars for the Northern European Campaign, Croix due Combattant Voluntaire, and the Korean Service Medal.
With WWII over, Bill returned to Texas to marry his high school sweetheart, Roberne Wilson of Amarillo, who proved to an able and supporting life partner for Bill’s many activities and endeavors. After completing his degree at Texas A&M in 1947, Bill and Roberne returned to Amarillo and started growing a family and business. The Foran brothers refounded Foran Construction Company, but the growth of this business was soon interrupted by the Korean War. Bill was called up from the Army Reserves into active duty in the Corps of Engineers, 950th Engineer Aviation Group, for two years during which time his brother Don kept the business going at home.
With his second war service over, Bill and Roberne were able to put down lasting roots in Amarillo and return to his duties at Foran Construction. The Foran brothers built the pipeline company into a thriving partnership, working in eight states and over 116 communities, many multiple times. The business was successful because of the brothers’ hard work, their dedication to running a company on the basis of Rotarian 4-Point Test, and the fact that they could count many of their employees, competitors, and clients as enduring friends. In 1986, he and his brother sold Foran Construction, and yet, both stayed quite busy together in the retirement years carrying on their sixty-year family partnership with their remaining business interests and various civic activities.
Bill and Roberne’s family eventually grew to include five children who kept their parents very busy attending sporting events, plays, and many extracurricular events. Later, they drew pleasure in the many accomplishments of their grandchildren. Bill was proud of his Irish roots and held an Irish passport and Irish citizenship. He and Roberne traveled widely and were often joined by other friends and family. He was also proud to administer the military oath of office to two grandchildren who are active duty commissioned officers today.
Bill had several coffee groups and he was more than willing to share coffee, donuts, and his thoughts with anyone. He was a faithful Rotarian and a fifty-year member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. At Westminster, he served as Deacon, Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Bill was a committed citizen, believing in sharing his time and talents with others. He served as Chairman of the State Board of Health and Chairman of the Regional Board of Health; State President of the Associated General Contractors of America
Bill was born in Rock Valley, Iowa, October 28, 1919, to James and Inez Foran. At Bill’s birth, Bill’s father promised Bill’s mother he would locate his pipeline construction permanently to one town, allowing his family to quit a more nomadic life. As a man who was true to his word, the elder Foran soon settled in Amarillo. A few years later, a brother, Joseph Donald, was born in Amarillo, completing the family unit. Neither the business nor the family has moved since.
Upon graduating from Amarillo High School in 1937, Bill started at Texas A&M in the Class of 1942, studying for a civil engineering degree. He was in the Corps of Cadets and the Famous Texas A&M Band. When World War II broke out, Bill and several classmates, who became his lifelong friends, were activated and commissioned in the army together on May 15, 1942. Bill was assigned to the 47th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Armored Division and saw action in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge and Huertgen Forest. His unit was the lead division in the breakout at St. Lo by General George Patton’s Third Army on the Normandy beachhead; Bill himself fired the first artillery rounds across the Rhine River on March 3, 1945 near Krefelt, Germany and on V-E Day his division was at the Elbe River, the closest Allied division to Berlin. Bill’s decorations included the Bronze Star, the Luxembourg Croix de Guerre, all five battle stars for the Northern European Campaign, Croix due Combattant Voluntaire, and the Korean Service Medal.
With WWII over, Bill returned to Texas to marry his high school sweetheart, Roberne Wilson of Amarillo, who proved to an able and supporting life partner for Bill’s many activities and endeavors. After completing his degree at Texas A&M in 1947, Bill and Roberne returned to Amarillo and started growing a family and business. The Foran brothers refounded Foran Construction Company, but the growth of this business was soon interrupted by the Korean War. Bill was called up from the Army Reserves into active duty in the Corps of Engineers, 950th Engineer Aviation Group, for two years during which time his brother Don kept the business going at home.
With his second war service over, Bill and Roberne were able to put down lasting roots in Amarillo and return to his duties at Foran Construction. The Foran brothers built the pipeline company into a thriving partnership, working in eight states and over 116 communities, many multiple times. The business was successful because of the brothers’ hard work, their dedication to running a company on the basis of Rotarian 4-Point Test, and the fact that they could count many of their employees, competitors, and clients as enduring friends. In 1986, he and his brother sold Foran Construction, and yet, both stayed quite busy together in the retirement years carrying on their sixty-year family partnership with their remaining business interests and various civic activities.
Bill and Roberne’s family eventually grew to include five children who kept their parents very busy attending sporting events, plays, and many extracurricular events. Later, they drew pleasure in the many accomplishments of their grandchildren. Bill was proud of his Irish roots and held an Irish passport and Irish citizenship. He and Roberne traveled widely and were often joined by other friends and family. He was also proud to administer the military oath of office to two grandchildren who are active duty commissioned officers today.
Bill had several coffee groups and he was more than willing to share coffee, donuts, and his thoughts with anyone. He was a faithful Rotarian and a fifty-year member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. At Westminster, he served as Deacon, Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Bill was a committed citizen, believing in sharing his time and talents with others. He served as Chairman of the State Board of Health and Chairman of the Regional Board of Health; State President of the Associated General Contractors of America
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