Valley View Farms mourns loss of co-founder Billy Foard

COCKEYSVILLE/HUNT VALLEY, MD   – Billy Foard, co-founder of Valley View Farms, passed away on Jan. 25, 2017, at the age of 78. He and his brother, John “Punkey”, who died in 2010, opened the business on Friday, April 13, 1962. It began as a small roadside produce stand, to augment the wholesale vegetable growing operation at their family farm. Valley View Farms grew to become one of the largest garden center and nursery operations in the mid-Atlantic region.

The store expanded over the years by adding a large retail greenhouse, nursery department, outdoor furniture, water garden department, fall decorations, plus an extensive and very popular Christmas shop. Their success can be attributed to the hard work of the owners, seven days a week, plus the dedication of their loyal staff, with many managers having over thirty years’ experience at Valley View Farms.

Billy’s son, Andy, took over ownership and day to day management of the business in 2015, but Billy remained a constant hands-on presence at the store until very recently. Greenhouse manager Carrie Engel, who started at Valley View Farms in 1972, says, “Seldom does one find a friend, mentor and boss as cool as this guy. Billy, you taught me, my family, coworkers and business associates so much about character, kindness, work ethics, and the importance of being yourself”.

Billy is survived by wife Kay, sons Andy and his wife Kristen, Stuart and his wife Debra, daughter Lisa and her partner Lisa Valle, sister Suzanne Foard, and grandchildren Kaylin, Will, Jackson and Mason. 

Valley View Farms is located on York Road in Cockeysville/Hunt Valley, Md.

Pictured above: Billy Foard (right) and his wife, Kay. Photo courtesy of RAP Advertising.