To: The Universal House of Justice
Dear Friends,
With saddened hearts we announce the passing to the Abha Kingdom of our dearly-loved, staunch, faithful, zealous, unwavering and devoted Baha'i brother, Mr. William R. Foster, first American of his race to respond to the call of the Beloved Guardian to pioneer in Africa before the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, remaining there with his family for seventeen years building Baha'i communities for nine years in Morocco and eight years in Liberia. He went to the Holy Land for two months in the 1950s where he personally assisted Shoghi Effendi on various projects associated with the establishment and beautification of the Baha'i properties, and for many generations of Baha'is he is and always will be associated with the Beloved Guardian, sharing his stories, sharing his profound love, admiration, and awe of Shoghi Effendi.
He served on countless national committees and on several Local Spiritual Assemblies on the United States homefront where he initiated his renowned deepening classes on the writings of the Guardian, and crowned his administrative endeavors as member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands for nearly twelve years, once for four years and then after returning to Hawaii a second time for eight years.
The descendent of African slaves, he experienced in his early years the inherent inequality of segregation, witnessed in his adult years the breakdown of America's apartheid in the school systems, and lived to see his children and grandchildren educated in America's finest universities and become devoted Baha'is.
His exemplary life inspired the friends wherever he resided by his unquestioned loyalty to the Covenant, his profound attachment to the Beloved Guardian, and as a champion of minority peoples everywhere. The loss of one so deeply loved, honored, and respected leaves a void in our hearts as we bid farewell to one of our most illustrious Baha'is.
We beseech prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his radiant soul and that he will be reunited with his Beloved Guardian. Our prayers and condolences extend to all members of his devoted family, and to the friends throughout the Hawaiian Islands who grieve his passing.
Deepest Baha'i Love,
NSA Hawaiian Islands
Gary L. Morrison, Secretary
Date: Mon May 22, 1995 8:01 am AHS
From: Baha'i World Centre transmitted by email
TO: The National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands
DATE: 22 MAY 1995
MESSAGE:
DEPLORE LOSS WILLIAM R. FOSTER, LONG-STANDING SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH, TIRELESS PROMOTER BAHA'I TEACHINGS, RADIANT CHAMPION ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER.
APART FROM HIS EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT VITAL ACTIVITIES COMMUNITIES UNITED STATES AND HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, HIS VALIANT, SACRIFICIAL ENDEAVOURS AFRICA BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TEN YEAR CRUSADE ENSURE INDELIBLE RECORD ANNALS FAITH, ESPECIALLY REGARDING MOROCCO AND LIBERIA.
FLAME HIS LOVE SHOGHI EFFENDI, INTENSIFIED BY HIS DIRECT CONTACT WITH HIM WHILE ASSISTING WITH DEVELOPMENT BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE PROPERTIES DURING BRIEF PERIOD 1950S, HAS LEFT ENDURING TRACES IN HEARTS MANY STUDENTS HIS CLASSES ON GUARDIAN'S WRITINGS.
EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS HIS DEAR FAMILY.
ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES FOR PROGRESS THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS THIS NOBLE SOUL WHOSE ASSOCIATION CAUSE BLESSED BEAUTY EXTENDED BEYOND SIX DECADES.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHÁ'ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES May 26, 1995 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Hawaiian Islands Beloved Friends, We share your sadness at the passing of devoted servant of Bahá'u'lláh William Foster. The United States Bahá'í community honors the memory of this outstanding believer. Bill Foster's commitment and devotion to the Blessed Beauty were demonstrated by his distinguished services as a homefront pioneer, member of our National Education and Properties committees, international traveling teacher, and pioneer to Africa where he will forever be remembered for his kindness and his determination to be a strong pillar of the Faith. Bill Foster's legacy of dedicated service to the Cause of God enriches the annals of the Hawaiian and United States Bahá'í communities and the Moroccan and Liberian communities, among others in Africa. His life was truly an example for current and future generations. We will miss this champion of the Faith of God. Our prayers surround him as we beseech the Almighty to give this newly welcomed one his full share of divine blessings and to comfort the hearts of his family and friends. With warm regards, Robert C. Henderson Secretary-General
Return to LOP Directory.