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William Stanford Obituary
William Grattan (Bill) Stanford entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Monday, July 13, 2015, covered in prayers and surrounded with love by his wife, Deborah, and dear friends.
Bill was born January 7, 1946 in Dallas, Texas to Regina Fleury and John William Stanford, and was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 31 years, Deborah, of The Woodlands; sister Jackie McNamara of Lake Whitney; nephews Brent Bulger of Dallas and Scott Bulger of Austin; niece Michelle Kossler of Hudson, Ohio; great-nieces Katy, Sara and Lauren; great nephew Kyle; and faithful Golden Retriever, Sophie.
In 1963 Bill graduated from Jesuit High School in Dallas and entered Loyola University in New Orleans in the fall. After college Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. Upon completion of his Naval service he chose to follow in his father's footsteps by pursuing a career in aviation, and in 1973 began his first flying job as Chief Flight Instructor for Thomas Flying Service in Sonoma, California. Four years later, Bill was hired by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia where he attained the position of Chief Pilot. In 1988, he transferred to Aramco Associated Company in Houston as Manager of Flight Operations. Those who worked with and for Bill respected him for his professionalism, dependability and superb airmanship.
Bill was a kind and quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor - he never took himself too seriously and was always willing to make fun of himself if it brought joy to others. He was a true friend. Upon retirement in March of 2000, Bill was fortunate to fulfill his dreams of hunting, fishing and playing golf to his heart's content. He was always quick to reflect with praise and gratitude on the wonderful life he & Debbie built and shared, and for the family of friends they formed.
A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, on Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
MD Anderson Cancer Center Children's Cancer Hospital; P.O. Box 4486; Houston, TX 77210-4486; www.mdanderson.org/gifts Montgomery County Women's Center; 1401 Airport Road ; Conroe, TX 77301
http://www.mcwc
thewoodlands.org/donate or
The Woodlands United Methodist Church/ Foundation or Missions2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380; www.twumc.org/give
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Stanford
4 Entries
Deborah M. Lindsay
July 29, 2015
A man among men.
A True Love.
A new Citizen in Heaven.
A life to celebrate, and many in-person & cosmic Hugs to DRS.
Ramsey
July 27, 2015
My condolences to the family. May the God of all comfort give you the strength you need to cope at this difficult time.
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
Beverly Malazzo
July 26, 2015
Such a good, gentle and kind man. I always enjoyed watching him interact with his dogs. His voice was always so quiet with them and they would listen and be so alert while anticipating his next word or move. They always wanted to do just what he asked and to please him. They loved him and he loved them. We miss you, Bill. Enjoy your heavenly fishing and hunting.
Robert Huron
July 21, 2015
I salute the Navy Veteran and will remember the days working for Bill on the DC-8 in Houston.
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