William (Bill) J. Foland

William (Bill) Jefferson Foland, age 80, former Civilian Personnel Officer for 25 years at the U.S. Army Edgewood Arsenal and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, died Monday, September 25, 2006, at home. Born in Mount Dora, Florida on August 17, 1926, he was the son of the late Paul Herman Foland and the late Bertha Mae Slough Foland. Raised in Edgewood, Maryland, he was a 1943 graduate of Bel Air High School and a 1951 graduate of University of Maryland where he was an assistant physical education instructor at the time. Mr. Foland served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific in World War II. In 1952, he helped build and manage the Lion's Club swimming pool in Port Deposit, Maryland and taught swimming to many Cecil and Harford County youth and adults. In August 1953, he was recruited for a job at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Civilian Personnel Office. In 1961, he assumed the position of civilian personnel officer at the then U.S. Army Edgewood Arsenal. Mr. Foland supervised the combining of the civilian workforce at Edgewood Arsenal with that of Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1971 and remained the Director of Civilian Personnel for the entire Army establishment until his retirement in 1985. He was well known for his avid participation in handball and racquetball activities. After his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family, boating and other outdoor activities, and annual trips to Florida with his wife for winter vacation.

Mr. Foland is survived by his wife of 54 years, Edith Goodman Foland; a son, Jeffrey W. Foland, his wife, Kathy of Abingdon, MD; a daughter, Nancy F. Kosko, her husband, Richard, of Aberdeen, MD; and grandchildren, Jason, Danielle and Trisha Foland all of Abingdon, MD, Erin Kosko, of Aberdeen, MD, and, Michael Kosko, of Manassas, VA.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Robert Foland of Lake City, Florida and sister, Mildred Potts of Columbus, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.