William G. Forrest was born in Joplin, Missouri on July 10, 1940, the son of William and Dorothy (Longacre) Forrest. He graduated from Joplin High School and went to New Mexico State University, where he worked at White Sands Missile Range. His love of Astronomy and Physics was inspired by the race to the Moon. He met his wife, Sally, through her brother Bill. They dated during college and they were married in 1964 in Joplin, Missouri. Sally taught elementary school while he finished his masters in science from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas. His first teaching job was at Black Hawk College in East Moline, Illinois. He taught Physics, Physical Science, Astronomy, Meteorology, Math, and Geology during his 42 years teaching at the Community College level. He retired in 2008 from Butler Community College, where he had taught for 24 years. He was active in the National Science Teachers Association, American Association of Physics Teachers, and the Kansas Association of Science Teachers.

He enjoyed sharing his love of astronomy and geology. He also volunteered to coach his kids' softball and soccer teams. Later in life, he loved watching his children and grandchildren participate in many sports and activities. He adored his grandchildren and loved spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife, Sally, of the home, children - Susan Forrest, Kathy (Jim) Shum, Bill (Sarah) Forrest, and Shery (TJ) Crater, and grandchildren Blake Forrest, Gretchen Shum, Joshua Shum, Carter Forrest, and Baylee Crater. He is also survived by his sister, Janice (Tom) Simmons and many other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral and visitation will be held at El Dorado First Baptist Church, 315 W. Central, El Dorado on Friday, February 10, 2023. Visitation will be at 1:00pm, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00pm. Interment to follow at Sunset Lawns Cemetery, El Dorado.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Bill Forrest to Butler Community College Foundation. https://butlerccfoundation.org/give/give-today.html