C. William "Bill" Foust

McFarland - C. William "Bill" Foust passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

Bill was born on May 27, 1952 in Bethlehem, PA, to Alan and Elizabeth (Aigler) Foust. He was the youngest of four children. He left Bethlehem to attend the University of Wisconsin in 1970 and became a Badger for life.

Bill received his BA and Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. In 1978 he began his legal career working as a prosecutor in the Dane County District Attorney's Office. He married Melissa Cherney on July 31, 1982 and moved to Milwaukee where he worked for the State Public Defender Office. His time as a Public Defender helped to shape his understanding of the criminal justice system's impact on individuals. Bill and Melissa returned to Madison and he was in private practice until he ran for and was elected Dane County District Attorney in 1988. He loved that job and viewed his duty as a search for justice, not just as an opportunity to gain convictions. Bill remained District Attorney until his appointment as a Dane County Circuit Court judge in 1997, where he served until his retirement in 2016. During that time, he was honored to serve as Chief Judge of Wisconsin's 5th Judicial District and was elected by his peers as Wisconsin Chair of the Chief Judges.

Although his professional career was very important to him, Bill had other passions, the most significant being his love and devotion to his family. He loved and was so very proud of his sons, Kyle and James. He and Melissa had a wonderful life together, and fully enjoyed their retirement; traveling, volunteering, playing tennis, and enjoying their home on the lake in McFarland. They loved the Lake Chapala area of Mexico, where they bought a home.

Bill is remembered as an indomitable but exceedingly fair presence in the courtroom and as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife Melissa Cherney; children Kyle (Jacqueline) Foust and James Foust; granddaughter Francine Foust; sister Patricia (Bill) Hoppe; and many other nieces, nephews, and dear friends and former colleagues. The family is forever grateful to Agrace Hospice for their loving care in Bill's last weeks.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his siblings Alan (Kari) Foust and Carolyn (Charles) Klebe.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bill's name to The Remington Center Foundation at the University of Wisconsin, which supports clinical programs in the area of criminal justice at https://law.wisc.edu/fjr/giving.html.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

5801 Hwy 51

McFarland, WI 53558

608-838-0655

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www.cressfuneralservice.com

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Sep. 12 to Sep. 13, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for C. Foust

Sponsored by Cress Funeral Home & Cremation Services - McFarland.

2 Entries

Rita Henderson

September 14, 2020

I have known Bill since 1978 & was fortunate to have begun working as his court reporter for Br. 14 in 1997 when he was appointed as the judge to replace my former boss George Northrup & worked with him until my retirement in 2015. He called me "Princess" & I liked to refer to him as C.W.! Bill was a great man to work with & one of the best judges. He was compassionate, fair, smart, had a wonderful sense of humor. He had a wonderful smile that lit up the room. He made our Br. 14 office a great place to work, like family. Bill had a great respect for the importance of family while also dedication to work. I am very saddened by his passing & offer my deepest condolences to Melissa, Kyle, James, all the family & friends & the many people who knew & loved Bill & whose lives he touched. Love you C.W. "Princess Rita"

Judge John and Judge Jean DiMotto

September 13, 2020

Jean and I extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Foust family on the passing of Bill. He was a wonderful colleague and friend.

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