Bill's Family
Bill Foster comes from a long line of inventors, scientists, and political activists.
Bill's father was trained as a chemist but spent much of his career as a civil rights lawyer. He wrote much of the enforcement code (federal regulations) behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -- the part that denied federal funds to school systems that refused to let black and white kids go to the same school.
Bill's mother came from a long line of inventors, and worked in her career to help law enforcement officers get college degrees, and to help college students become cops.
Bill's maternal grandfather Fred I. Raymond was a pioneer in "green technologies," inventing the energy-saving "DuoStat" thermostat that he manufactured at his plant in downtown Chicago. He also developed the Raymond Whirlwind separator, a key part of "Clean Coal"" technology that is still manufactured under the Raymond name in the Combustion Engineering plant in Warrenville.
Bill's maternal great-great grandfather invented the Raymond Windmill, a main competitor to the windmills manufactured in Batavia a century ago.
In 1865 Bill's great-great grandfather was put in charge of the first regiment of freed slaves -- and promptly found himself facing courts-martial for "drawing white man's rations" for the troops in his command.
Bill's children Billy and Christine were both raised in the Fox Valley.
His son Billy was born in 1984 and attended the 4th St. School in Geneva, J.B. Nelson Elementary School in Batavia and Batavia Middle School, graduated from Batavia High school, and received a BA in Math and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006. He now works for Tomotherapy, Inc. a leading medical imaging and radiation therapy firm.
In about 1994 Billy made an unbelievable stop and clothesline throw home for the tag-out while playing shortstop in the Batavia Little League All-Stars game. That memory will always make his Mom & Dad smile.
Bill's daughter Christine was born in St. Charles in 1987 and went to public schools in Batavia and attended the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora. She is now a sophomore majoring in biochemistry at Stanford University.
For many years Bill coached Christine's tri-cities soccer team with co-coach Dick Brunton. Bill is pretty sure that they ended up with a winning lifetime record.
Bill's ex-wife Annie works as a software engineer for Bill's company in Wisconsin. After they divorced in the mid-nineties, Bill and Ann agreed to live within a few blocks of each other in Batavia, and the kids grew up in both houses. Bill and Ann are both very proud of remaining on good terms and making things as easy as possible for their kids, who seem to be doing well in life!
The Foster Family at Christine's graduation from the Illinois Math and Science Academy in June 2005.
Ann Foster on Bill's running for Congress:
"I'm a huge fan of Bill's candidacy. He is, and always has been a wonderful father to our two children. He's a gentleman, who cares deeply about his family, the 14th district, and America. He is a fine businessman and a great scientist, and I can think of no one who would make a better Congressman. He holds a deep commitment to his family, to people, and to our country. I trust him and his judgment completely. And most importantly, I trust him with the people I cherish most in my life: our children. I totally support him, and his candidacy."