Willie Edd Foster Jr. 1942-2022

Mr. Foster was born April 29, 1942, in Montgomery, Ala., a son of Willie Edd Sr. and Odessa Seaborne Foster. He was a 1960 graduate of South High School. Willie was the owner / operator of Foster’s Party Shop on both the North and East sides of Youngstown, for more than 54 years. He had a number of enduring establishments having owned Soulville Records on the Sharon Line and in Farrell, Pa., the Ringside and Breakout bars and was a co-owner of L & W Beauty Supply. He was a true entrepreneur, always seeking to elevate others.

Willie was a member of Phillips Memorial Baptist Church and its usher ministry. He was co-founder of the Little Braves Football Organization; enjoyed cooking and was an avid sports fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Cleveland Indians). He was a devoted grandpa and a dedicated father and family man, as well as a pillar in the community.

He leaves to mourn his passing but to celebrate his life and legacy, four sons, Darrell L. Foster, Andrae Foster and Javon D. Snipes, all of Youngstown and Adrian (Kimberly) Foster of Oakwood Village; his stepson, Vincent Whatley of Cleveland; 13 grandchildren; his sister, Irma Jean Alexander of Alabama; and a host nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, the former Verna Whatley, who passed away Oct. 29, 2012; his uncles, Norman and Frank Brown; grandmother, Vinia Brown; and stepson, Mark E. Harris.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home and from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Rising Star Baptist Church, 2943 Wardle Ave., Youngstown, OH 44505. A celebration of life will follow at noon Thursday, at the church. Due to the pandemic, all guests are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing.

Services of love and dignity were entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

(special notice)