FOREMAN, WILSON FARRELL (1926 ~ ). The following is a family-placed obituary for Wilson Farrell Foreman, former Member of the Texas House of Representatives. The obituary was published in the Austin American Statesman on Saturday March 15, 2008.
"Wilson Foreman, of Liberty Hill, TX while surrounded by his loving family, went home to be with his heavenly father on Thursday evening March 13, 2008. He was born in Eastland, Texas on August 30, 1926 to Stonewall Jackson and Alvina Funk Foreman. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Ashbaugh Foreman, daughters Diana Babicki (John) and Bonnie Hudspeth (Pat), son-in-law Harrison Smith, grandchildren Casey Bice, Bradley Morrow, Sheagan Barton, Jessica Bartek (husband Larry), Lisa Smith, and Gregory Smith, great grandchildren, Ryan Pickett, Brooklynn Bartek, and Ryder Bice and two brothers Vincent Eugene and Lawrence Dillon Foreman.
Waiting to greet him in heaven are his parents, daughter Denise Foreman Smith, sisters Kathleen and Maxine, brothers Pete, Kenneth, and Bobby.
He was graduated from Edinburg High School in 1943, then joined the Army Air Corps where he was a Radio Operator. Returning from the Air Corps, Foreman attended Edinburg Junior College from 1947 to 1948 where he served as Student Body President.
On August 17, 1948, Foreman married Dorothy Marie Ashbaugh. After their marriage they moved to Austin so he could attend the University of Texas. He was graduated with a Bachelor of Business Arts Degree in 1955 and then attended two years of Law School. While at the University, Foreman was elected as president of the following groups: Tejas Club, Silver Spurs, Men's Independent Campus Association and the U. T. Student body. He was also chosen as a member of the Friar's Society.
During his college years, he supported his family in his own concrete excavation business. In 1959 he added swimming pool construction as one of the first in the Austin area. He continued his pool business until the time of his death.
His strong faith in the Lord guided him in all his personal, business, and legislative decisions throughout his life. In 1948 after the Foreman's moved to Austin they joined University Baptist Church where Mr. Foreman served as a Deacon for several years. In 1979, the Foreman's became charter members of Riverbend Church where he served as a Deacon and was still an active member.
Giving of his time to different local groups has been a passion of Mr. Foreman's. He has been active with both the Boy Scouts of America and Kiwanis International. For many years Foreman served as a scoutmaster, District Commissioner, District Chairman, Vice President, Chairman of the Council Camporee and Scout-A-Rama - all in the Capitol Area Council which awarded him the Silver Beaver Award and Scoutmaster Key.
Mr. Foreman has been a member of Kiwanis International since 1953 and to date has a perfect Attendance record. His Kiwanis record includes Club Vice-President, President-Elect, President, Lt.-Governor of two different divisions, Key Club Counselor, Life Member, Governor-elect and Governor of the Texas/Oklahoma District. During his year as Governor Mr. Foreman broke five International records.
Mr. Foreman is also a 32-degree Mason and was a member of the Ben Hur Shrine.
Mr. Foreman served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for 16 years during the 55th through the 60th Sessions and the 62nd and 63rd Sessions. He had a near perfect attendance record, missing only one day due to a death in the family. Mr. Foreman chaired three committees and was chosen Outstanding Member by the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas. He was also awarded a Doctor of Political Science Degree by the University of Texas at San Antonio. He still holds the state record of best attendance for his length of term in the Texas State Legislature.
Some of the legislation Mr. Foreman was passionately involved in were bills relating to the University of Texas, the City of Austin, Texas State Teacher's Association, Texas State Employees and civil rights. Something unique to his career in the Legislator was that he was supported by both liberals and conservatives. He even handled the bill to let Lyndon Johnson run for re-election as US Senator and Vice President with Senator Kennedy at the same time and was honored to appear in their campaign advertisements. He played a key role in the land acquisition for the LBJ library and his last legislation was the passage of a bill declaring LBJ's birthday a State Holiday.
In the year 2000, Mr. Foreman was honored by the Republican National Director by being asked to be the honorary chairman of Central Texas for the election of George W. Bush for President.
Besides his strong leadership in civic activities he is best known for his love of life and he lived it to the fullest. His family and friends were of utmost importance to him. Some of his passions were his ranches where he raised Santa Gertrudis cattle and Paint horses, hunting, fishing and entertaining. His ranches in Texas and Colorado were always open for his family, friends and charities to use and enjoy.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Kenneth Armstrong, Dr. Thomas Vinson, and the Round Rock Emergency Room staff who took such great care of Mr. Foreman throughout his illness.
Pall bearers will be Sylvester Sandoval, Al Kircher, Perry Walker, Robert Stansel, Steve French, John McIntyre, Nick McIntyre, and Mike Hudspeth.
Honorary pall bearers are Paul Jackson, Newt Cornwell, Gerald Mann, Jim Wallace, George Cowden, Tony Barrientez, Wayne Borchardt, and Doyce Wheeler.
Visitation will be at Weed-Corley Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar on Sunday 3-5pm.
Services will be held in the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Chapel on Mon., March 17th at 2 p.m. with burial following at Texas State Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contribution may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Ste 100, Austin, TX 78759 or Riverbend Church, 4214 Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX."
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department. |
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