On July 17, 2022, William Hurst "Bill" Boster, "Thumper", left this world to join Mom and Dad in heaven.  He was born on January 16, 1954 in Huntington, West Virginia, to Howard E. ("Jake") and Bettie Mae Willoughby Boster, and along with big brother Bud and sister Nancy, the family was complete.

Life in West Virginia was wonderful and free.  Lots of hills and trees for a boy to climb, trails to bike-ride on and explore, mud puddles to play in – so much to spur imagination and curiosity!

In 1962, Jake's job brought him to Virginia, and the family moved to a wonderful big, old home on Buckroe Beach – right on the water.  Bill made the most of every day – especially every summer day – taking full advantage of all that place had to offer.  Riding his bike on the boardwalk with his bantam rooster Elmer on his handlebars; riding his homemade skim board ("whomping board!") in the surf right behind the house; collecting lots of friends along the way and just being a boy!

Buckroe Beach redevelopment took the family from Buckroe to Phoebus in 1967.  After graduating from Pembroke High School, Bill studied commercial art at Thomas Nelson Community College.

Before long, Bill fell in love with Sarah Stratton Tunis – his friend and ski buddy – and she became his wife.  Bill and Sarah had beautiful twin girls, Sarah Ellen and Nancy Leah – and before long a baby boy Walter Allyn.  And their family was complete.

Bill's work history is truly a reflection of his imagination and creativity!  Following in his dad's footsteps, he went into apprenticeship at the C&O Railroad and was electrician there for about 15 years.  There, he especially enjoyed working on the road crew, traveling from place to place setting electrical poles and running power to them.  He worked as a supervisor at the Daily Press in its production department. Along with his friend John Martin, he designed equipment to create synthetic deck boards from waste peanut hulls.  He was a floral designer for Smith Floragift. Later, for the Mitchell Company he installed generators – sometimes in little brick buildings near the highways; sometimes in rural areas without roads; and sometimes on top of huge marine cranes towering over marine terminals.  Finally, Bill retired from Riverside Rehabilitation Institute as a maintenance technician.  Here, he found many dear friends – several of whom also became members of his Saints and Soldiers motorcycle club.

It was in the Saints and Soldiers Riding Club that Bill ("Thumper") found a true family of men and women who shared interests, values, experiences and love. These brothers and sisters not only brought joy to his life – but have also stood by him and his family through his difficult last days and beyond.  Thank you for that!

Bill was one of the kindest, most gentle and loving men ever to walk this earth.  His generosity of spirit, time, treasures, and all other things, will never be forgotten by all of us who loved him and were recipients of that generosity. A great deal of the light left the room when he left our world.

Left behind to miss him so dearly are:

His children – Sarah Ellen Rigsby (Ben) of Nashville, TN, Nancy Leah Fox (Doug) of York County, VA, Walter Allyn Boster (Katey), of York County, VA;

His grandchildren – Aiden and Cameron Rigsby, Olivia and Avery Fox, Gavin and Isaac Boster

His siblings - Brother, Howard E. Boster, Jr., "Bud" (Deborah) of Huntington, WV, and his sister, Nancy B. Blagg (Rev. Donald), of Hampton, VA.

Nieces Betty Chapman, Jenny Rauhecker, and Jean Ann Goodwyn

His Saints and Soldiers brothers and sisters – with special thanks to John Martin, Mike Scott, Paul Davis, and Tammy Sanford.

Loving neighbors and friends who made his life such a joy.

A celebration of life will be held at Phoebus United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 11AM, colors welcome.