William "Bill" C. Foust

William C. “Bill” Foust, 87 of Conneaut Lake, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2023 at the Heritage at St. Pauls in Greenville, PA after a period of failing health.

Bill was born in Meadville on September 1, 1935 to the late Donald & Mabel (Orr) Foust. He was a 1954 graduate of Conneaut Lake High School where he excelled in basketball.

He began his career at Talon, Inc. in 1955 where he achieved several positions before completing his tool and die apprenticeship in 1960.

He founded Viking Tool and Gage located in Conneaut Lake in 1965, specializing in the manufacturing of tools, dies, and gages. He received the Gannon Manufacturing Business of the year award in 1997.

Bill was an avid fisherman spending many hours on Conneaut Lake and Lake Erie.

After his retirement in 1999 he and his wife Rita enjoyed wintering at their home on Marco Island, FL. 

His hobbies included building and flying model airplanes and constructing model replicas of vintage Conneaut Lake Boats, which are on display at the Conneaut Lake Historical Society.

Bill was a member of the Harmonsburg Methodist Church, the Meadville B.P.O. Elks Lodge #219, the Free and Accepted Masons, the former Conneaut Lake Park Fire Hall Station 5, the National Assoc. of Machinists, Iroquois Club, the Conneaut Lake Historical Society, and former member of the Marco Island Yacht Club.

Bill is survived by his loving wife: Rita Foust of Conneaut Lake, his daughters: Faith Smith of Conneaut Lake; Ava (Frank) Barba of Meadville, stepchildren: Amanda Coulter of Conneaut Lake; and Stacy Coulter of Conneaut Lake, five grandchildren: Jacque (Jeramee) Geer of Conneaut Lake; Garrett (Mandy) Smith of Conneaut Lake; Jennifer (James) Ax of Pittsburgh; Elizabeth (Bob) Kerlik of Pittsburgh, and Adam (Lana) Barba of Meadville, eight great-grandchildren, sister: Dawn Auell of Conneautville, and niece Julie (Glenn) Wheeler of Linesville.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to WAID-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake, where visitation will be from 4 pm – 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. A funeral service will take place at 6:30 pm.

Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to the Conneaut Lake Historical Society.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.WaidColemanFH.com

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