William John STIENS

1927 - 2015

STIENS

William John Stiens, 88, passed away Sept. 29, 2015. Preceded by loving wife, Jean Catherine Stiens, M.D. (nee Duffy). Survived by three sons, their wives and children: Steven, M.D. and Elizabeth Marcelain, children: Hanna MacIntosh (of Hollywood, CA), Duffy, Luke, and Olivia (of Seattle, WA), Scott (of Washington, DC) and Doug and Emily Ruff, children: Tyler and Kate (of Cincinnati, OH), Bill grew up as a middle child in a family with four children and was named the "Peacemaker" by his mother, Laura. He was inspired by art at an early age and had his first overworked painting named "Constipation" by kind critics in his family. He prevailed in the graphic arts and was on the yearbook production team at his high school, Purcell. He studied industrial arts at University of Cincinnati and did some work in advertisement thereafter designing beer labels. Always a builder he designed and constructed a sailboat with a team of cooperative sailors, who were willing to name the boat, Jean, for his fiancé. It sailed regularly on the Ohio River before it was repurposed as furniture for Bill and Jeans apartment. Bill and Jean were the spectacular couple. Bill, the artist/designer/builder, and Jean, the accomplished psychiatrist. Between the two of them, they were good for many and much appreciated. Dad was not without his temper, if anyone really made a mess of something, and Jean was always on the job at the hospital or office -- prompting one preschooler's assessment as "Wild Bill" and "Jean The Machine." He was always inspired by architecture and while working for Reading Rock built a small post office in Miamitown and a four unit apartment on Colerain Avenue. After transitions out of his role of Vice President for Production at Reading Rock, he built an apartment building addition on Ludlow Avenue and gradually grew the business as a Clifton landlord renting to nurses, students, and professors alike. Bill was always an avid fisherman, taught by his traveling salesman father Robert, and passed on this passion to his three sons and grandchildren. He enjoyed catching a batch of bluegills or crappies as much as monster bluefish in New York or the giant lake trout in Canada. But most of all, Bill was widely proclaimed to be the friendliest person they know. Come honor his life at Gwen Mooney-Miller Funeral Home, 3464 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45223, Friday, October 2 from 6-8, and Saturday, October 3, from 10-11 at Annunciation Parish, 3547 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220, followed by Mass celebrating Bill's life at 11. Interment at Spring Grove Cemetery to follow. Family requests memorial contributions be made to Hamilton County Parks General Fund (www.greatparks.org), and The National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org).