William Yale Foreman

William Y. ForemanSeptember 25, 1949 - May 8, 2020
William Y. Foreman, resident of Monmouth, Oregon passed away on May 8, 2020 at the age of 70.  William’s funeral mass will be Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Church 721 Chemeketa St. NE Salem, OR 97301.  Bill will be buried at Hilltop Cemetery in Independence 8822 Corvallis Rd. Independence, OR 97351, 3 mi. South of Independence on old Corvallis Highway.
Bill was born September 25, 1949 in DesMoines, Iowa to Theodore and Barbara Foreman. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona, which was always his dream location. His favorite pastime as a kid was tossing coins off of “A” Mountain in Arizona and rolling down hillsides in a tire. Bill’s dog Chaney would go rattlesnake hunting with him, and he’d collect the rattles in a cigar box.
The Foreman family moved to Woodburn, Oregon and then to Mt. Angel, where they had a family farm. Eventually, the Foreman family made their way to Salem, Oregon where Bill completed one year of high school before joining the army. While in the army, he was stationed in Germany guarding the border. He was also a tank gunner. Bill earned sharpshooter M14, and (National Defense Service Medal) (Good Conduct Medal) and (Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal). In April 1970, Bill was honorably discharged. He was on his way to Alaska to join a fishing crew with his service buddy, after leaving the service.  Till then, Bill worked with his brother Jim at the plywood mill in Idanha. He would spend time again with his Mom and family in Independence.  Bill’s car broke down and he wanted to go out and double date with brother Jim.  Jim’s girlfriend Susan had a best friend Ruth.  So Jim and Susan set up a blind date for Bill and Ruth.  Remember, Bill had plans to go to Alaska. Bill & Ruth, fell in love and got married at St. Joseph’s Church on November 7th, 1970.  They have been married 49 years, and raised two children together. Bill was a good family man.  He loved his family. He would visit all of his brothers and sisters. As the children grew, Bill worked as an automotive mechanic and was very good at it. Hobbies included raising horses and teaching his daughters how to ride. He liked fishing, hunting, 3 wheeling, camping and flying his remote control planes. After 20 years of living on the ranch, Bill and Ruth moved to Monmouth, where they helped raise four of their grandchildren, Macala, Kaydin, Kaitlyn, and Kayleb. They had one other grandchild, Alesha, who would spend as much time with them as she could. His family was his biggest passion, between his wife, two daughters, and five grandchildren, he was always surrounded with love.  When he wasn’t spending time with his family, he was at the Wingdinger’s Flying Field His saying “it’s not my plane,” shows his sense of humor and his “don’t worry, be happy” attitude towards life. Bill was a “jack of all trades” and enjoyed helping others. He will be deeply missed.
William Foreman was preceded in death by his parents, half-sister Ida, sisters Sandy and Barbara and half brothers  Carl, John, Dale, Joe, Theodore, James, brothers David, Richard, and Dennis.  He is survived by his wife Ruth, sisters Susan Smith, Janettte Woodard, and brothers Robert Foreman and Randy Woodard. Their two daughters Christine Miley and Sara Foreman, and 5 grandchildren Alesha Miley, Macala, Kaydin, Kaitlyn, and Kayleb Dilley.  Memorial contributions can be made out to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
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