William Arthur Stedman

William Arthur Stedman September 4, 1960 - April 17, 2009 PORTLAND - William Arthur Stedman, better known as Bill to his family and friend, passed away on April 17, 2009 at his mother's home in Marion after fighting a courageous battle with lung cancer. Bill was born in Albany, Ore. to Lawrence and Martha Stedman. He graduated from Cascade High School in Turner in 1979. After graduation, Bill joined the Navy where he proudly served for five years as a boiler technician. For the past two years Bill worked as a machinist for Boeing in Portland. Bill was an avid fisherman. Most days one could find him on his boat in the Tillamook Bay or on the Willamette River salmon or steelhead fishing. One of Bill's greatest pleasures in life was taking family members and friends fishing with him. He was known for hooking "the big one" then handing his pole off for someone else to reel in. It has been a challenge trying to find a picture of Bill without him holding a giant fish. He will be sorely missed by all of his buddies out on the river. He is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Stedman; and his daughter, Crystal Stedman. Bill is survived by his mother, Martha Stedman of Marion; his sisters, Letha Hunt and Diana Anderson of Marion; his sister, Cherry Rae Lee of Salem; and his nieces and nephews, Eric Hunt, Melissa Groninger, Michelle Deters, Dylan and Aidan Deters, Natasha Hunt, Rachel Stewart, Karla Hamilton, Jay Stewart, Jore' Hunt, Dallas Hunt, Kaleigh Groninger, Peyton Hunt and Hanni Groninger. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Marion Friends Church. Interment will follow at Marion Friends Cemetery. Donations: Portland Providence Hospital's Oncology Department. Arrangements entrusted to Weddles Funeral Services. Online condolences at weddle-funeral.com.