William Edward Foulke

William E. Foulke
William E. Foulke, known as Bud or Buddy by his friends and family, was born on 2/6/1926 in the farm house known as the historic Shaw House. His father purchased this 80-acre farm from Elmer Stansbury in 1924 where he resided and farmed most of his life. He was famous in the area for growing the best sweet corn and tomatoes. He was well known and respected for his farming and historic knowledge of the area. He told stories of picking up German prisoners and transporting them to local farms to work when he was only 16 years old. He was a mentor to many of the boys and girls who worked the farm as they looked up to him as a father figure. He graduated from Sparrows Point High School. Along with working the farm, he worked at Martin Marietta as a draftsman until 1964. In the 50's he met his late wife Frieda Norton Grammer, and they married in 1956 where she joined him on the farm and had two daughters. Frieda was known as the Queen of the Tomato Shed, where she boxed tomatoes to sell on the road side stand. Eventually, he bought waterfront property and built the house in which he and Freida lived while he continued to work the farm up into his mid-nineties. After retiring, he continued to garden. He spent winters in Florida where he expanded his farming skills to Florida crops, growing bananas, and mangos. He also became well known in his Florida neighborhood as he rode his 3-wheel bike several times as day, meeting new neighbors and making friends as they were very impressed seeing a man in his nineties in such good shape. He was a family man and took great pride in his family history. The Foulke Family arrived in American in 1698 from Bala Wales. Edward and Eleanor Foulke and their 9 children survived the harrowing trip across the ocean where many did not make it. The family genealogy dates back to 12th Century Wales, Lord of Pennlyn Rhirid Flaidd. The family Coat of Arms pictures three wolves' heads and is one of the few authenticated coat-of-arms in Britian. He loved history and enjoyed passing his historical knowledge to others. Bud was a member of the Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society, the Edgemere Moose, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was also concerned with the environment and received several awards. He received an Executive Citation from Baltimore County for recognition and tremendous support for protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay. He received and environmental award presented by County Executive, Roger Hayden for efforts to improve the bay and local environment, and he received a Governor's Citation from the State of Maryland which noted their admiration, gratitude, and great respect for his exemplary volunteer service to protect and restore the Bay. Throughout his life, friends, family and acquittances looked to him for his knowledge and advise on many topics such as farming, history, handyman skills, and life lessons. Bud continued to be sharp minded until the time he passed away. Smilingly, he stated "only his chassis had worn out" but his mind was good. The world has lost a wonderful man who was loved and respected by many and he will be greatly missed.
William E. Foulke was a loving husband of the late Freida C. Foulke, devoted father of Karen Foulke Taylor and her husband Richard B. Taylor, and Susan Foulke Fischbach and her husband Wayne C. Lyttle, dear stepfather of the late Von Grammer and his wife Cynthia Grammer, cherished grandfather of Morgan Foulke Taylor, Holly Elizabeth Taylor, Carla Grammer, and the late Von Grammer Jr., loving brother of the late Anna Mae Wilcox.
Interment Private. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Penwood Christian Church 8022 Penwood Ave. Sparrows Point, MD 21219.