Foster Lee Williams

Foster Lee Williams, 97, of Eagle Springs, NC passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 10,2024.

He was born on May 22, 1926, in Montgomery County, NC to James Lucian and Estella Williamson Williams. Foster grew up in Moore County and attended Eagle Springs School and was a graduate of West End High School, Class of 1944.

One of eleven children, Foster was raised in a family of faith, where honesty and hard work were an essential way of life. The family business, sawmilling and logging would be a foundation for his future career.  He was well known as a reputable proprietor of his sawmill and timber business for over 40 years in the Sandhills area. Guided by faith he was instrumental in helping others. Most notably was his leadership in the rebuilding of Bensalem Presbyterian Church, that was destroyed by fire in 1958. A long-standing member of the church he served on many committees and received the First Honorary Life Member Award for men. Well known as a preservationist of historical structures, he was also interested in his family history and that of others as well. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed rabbit and fox hunting and the chase of the hounds. He travelled extensively with his wife Dorothy and cherished spending time with his family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his devoted wife, Dorothy Deen Short Williams and six brothers and two sisters. Arthur, Roy, Viola Williams Monroe, James, Treva Williams Smith, Winford, Clinton, and Fred Williams. Son-in-laws, Robert Black and Tony Connor.

Surviving and left to cherish his memory are his children: Michael (Dot) Williams of Eagle Springs; Lydia (David) Conard of Foxfire Village; Cynthia Leach of Foxfire Village; Melody Connor of Eagle Springs; Lisa Alexander of Eagle Springs, and Scott (Mary Catherine) Williams of Kinston. One brother, Harold Williams of Aberdeen; one sister, Elizabeth Williams Pusser of West End, and sister-in-law, Ruby Hartsell Williams of Pinehurst. Grandchildren: Trent (Jennifer) Williams, Trudy Williams (Brian) Coleman, Travis Lee Black, Bryan (Sherre) Leach, Suzanne Leach (Clay) Hinson, Patrick (Shayla) Leach, Myles (Meghan) Connor, Brynn Connor (Ed) Nickelson, Ashley Alexander Watkins, Scott Julius Williams Jr. and Catherine Grace Williams. Great grandchildren: Andrew (Sara) Gagliardi, Trinity & Wyatt Williams, Nicholas, Kane & Ella Coleman, Conner Leach, Madeline Hinson, Alex, Savannah & expectant baby Leach, Rilyn & Quinn Connor, Josie Nickelson; Wesley & Cooper Watkins. One great great grandchild, Cameron Gagliardi.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Bensalem EPC Perpetual Cemetery Fund, PO Box 157, Eagle Springs, NC 27242.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 pm at Bensalem Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2891 Bensalem Church Road, Eagle Springs, NC 27242.

Funeral service will be on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Bensalem Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Special thanks to Loretta Dunn for her loyalty and loving care.

Condolences may be made online at www.phillipsfh.com.

Services are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Home in Star, NC.