William 'Bill' J. Foran, Jr., 75, of Savannah, passed away peacefully the morning of October 27, 2022, at home in Savannah, with his loving and devoted wife, Linda, by his side. He was born February 26, 1947, in Savannah, son of the late William 'Billy' J. Foran Sr. and Eileen Chapman Foran. He attended Blessed Sacrament School, Saint Michael's Catholic School (Tybee), and Benedictine Military School, class of 1965. He was a Specialist 5 U.S. Army Medic from 1969-1972, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, and received an Honorable Discharge.
He received a MA Biology degree from St. Bernard's College in Cullman, AL 1969, as well as a MS Natural Science/Biology degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan 1976. Bill spent his career teaching 10th grade Biology and 11th grade Coastal Ecology at Savannah High School from 1977-2005. He was loved and respected by his fellow teachers, administrators and his many students. He had a unique gift of communication and a wealth of knowledge on multiple subjects.
Everyone who knew Bill knew that he was a man of sharp wit and great sense of humor. He lived at Tybee for many years and loved all things related to the beach and the water. He loved fishing, crabbing, swimming, walking on the beach, and collecting shells and shark teeth. He spent a great deal of time at the family dock house in Spanish Hammock and in his Boston Whaler exploring the creeks and waterways of Tybee and Little Tybee Islands. He took pride in his cooking skills, and always enjoyed cooking on the grill, and just being outside drinking a beer. He truly was a happy person and lived life to the fullest.
In 2010 Bill was diagnosed with ALS. Despite all the many challenges he faced over the past twelve years he accepted his illness with amazing strength and had no regrets. As his illness progressed, he entertained himself by watching and listening to music on YouTube. He said it had been a wild ride and he knew this was his last rodeo.
??Bill was a member of the Hibernian Society, St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Knights of Columbus 631, and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
Together for 29 years, Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Jackson Foran. Being his sole caretaker throughout his illness, Linda never left his side. He is also survived by his brother, Michael A. Foran (Patricia) and family, Brianna, Abby, Margaret, Michael Jr., Madeline, Lizzie, and Joseph; Earl A. Sellers (Katie) and grandsons, Jackson, Yancey, Robert, Matthew of Auburn, AL; Louis M. Sellers, Jr (Melissa), grandson, Joshua, of Douglasville, GA; brother-in-law, Alan W. Jackson (Patricia) and family, Patrick and Daniel of Mt. Pleasant, SC; sister-in-law, Laura J. Smith and family, Natasha, Dorie, J.D., of Savannah; and his close friend, Pat Byrnes. Sisters: Catherine Hahn (Ed), Savannah, Eileen Hutton (Joseph), Norfolk, VA, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thank the ALS team, Ralph H. Johnson VA hospital in Charleston, Home Based Primary Care team VA Clinic in Savannah, Orvilla Home Health Agency (Jeff, Tessa, Deshonna, and Whitney), Hospice Savannah (Tricia and all the exceptional nurses), Enhabit Physical Therapist, THA Group Home Health Care, Coastal Home Care, Dr. Al Lord and the team of excellent Savannah doctors for their help and care they provided over the years; EMS and Fire Fighters for their compassion and assistance.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Association of Georgia, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Legion, Tybee or Abilities Unlimited, Savannah. A celebration of Bill's life will be
Saturday, November 12th from 4:00p.m. until 6:00p.m. at Gamble Funeral Service. Full Military Honors will be rendered.