William C. Stuart

Judge William C. (Bill) Stuart of Chariton, Iowa passed away at the Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton, Iowa on August 12, 2010 from complications of a stroke he'd suffered on July 14. Last April he'd celebrated his ninetieth birthday with family and friends.
Bill was born in Knoxville, Iowa on April 28, 1920. He was the son of George C. Stuart and Edith Abram Stuart. They moved to Chariton soon after when George C. decided to leave a railroad career and practice law with his father, Corwin Walker Stuart.
After graduating from Chariton High School in 1937 and Chariton Junior College in 1938, he went to the University of Iowa. He met Nile Kinnick that fall during rush week for Phi Kappa Psi and the two became roommates a year later. In the spring of 1941, Bill graduated 6th out of 150 and received his law degree with high distinction (Order of the Coif) in 1942.
Bill enlisted in the Naval Air Corps and was a pilot from 1942-1945. He returned to Chariton in 1946 to practice law with his father as a member of the Stuart and Stuart Law Firm. He became the fourth generation of Stuarts to practice law in the Chariton National Bank and Trust Building in a practice spanning 102 years (1860-1962). It was at this time he met a first-year teacher from Macon, Missouri, Mary Elgin Cleaver. They were united in marriage on October 20, 1946 and celebrated 63 years of marriage in October 2009.
Judge Stuart 's professional highlights are inscribed on the Distinguished Alumni Award presented to him by the University of Iowa College of Law after he became a senior judge in 1986. It reads: "This award is presented to Senior Judge William C. Stuart (J. D. 1942) in recognition of his outstanding professional career as a private practitioner (1946-62), State Senator (1953-61), Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court (1962-71) and U. S. District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa (1971-Senior Status 1986). Throughout his illustrious career in public service, Judge Stuart has achieved exemplary reputation for his scholarship, integrity, fairness, industriousness and his abiding sensitivity toward the personal dignity of each individual."
Bill had many varied interests and hobbies. He was an avid Hawkeye fan and supporter and held Iowa season football tickets since WWII. He loved spending time with his family and friends and being active. Golf was his favorite outdoor activity, but he also had fun camping, fishing, boating, and snow skiing. He also enjoyed quiet time reading, stamp collecting, drawing, refinishing antiques, and listening to various styles of music, especially classical. He took pleasure in avocational writing, composing an epic poem for Elgin commemorating their 50th anniversary, many reflective pieces, and publishing a children's book, Grandpa Gander's Up-to-date Nursery Rhymes.
During his lifetime of service to others, Judge Stuart was a member of many organizations including (but not limited to): First United Presbyterian Church of Chariton, Chariton Historical Preservation Commission, Friendship Force, Masons, Shriners, American Legion, Rotary, American Bar Association, Iowa Bar Association, Institute of Judicial Administration, and the American Judicature Society.
Bill was a very caring and giving person in life and wanted to be of service after death by donating his remains to the University of Iowa Medical School for research. Bill was loved and respected by his family, peers, and friends. He will be missed and remembered lovingly by those who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Elgin, and their four children: Corwin "Corky" and wife, Janean, of Brooklyn, Iowa; Cullen and wife, Sarah, of Lincoln, Maine; Melanie Curlee of Chariton; and Valerie Karls and husband, Jody, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Seven grandchildren include Zachary Stuart and wife, Niki, of Hudson, Iowa; Nathan Stuart of Scottsdale, Arizona; Joshua Stuart of Iowa City, Iowa; Cristin and Natalie Curlee attending the Univ. of Iowa; and Elgin (also attending the Univ. of Iowa) and Olivia Karls of Racine, Wisconsin. Two great grandchildren are Payton and Makenzie Stuart of Hudson, Iowa. Other surviving family members are his sister, Marjorie Stuart Daasch of Cleveland, Tennessee; niece Cindy (Tim) Spires their children Ben and Lindsey;nephew Mark (Karla)Daasch and their children Sarah, Jamie, Kyle, and Allison and first cousins Adrian, David, and Nick(Linda) Kleppinger and Karen Fisher Johnson (David) of Denver, CO.
There will be a memorial service at the Federal Courthouse in Des Moines on Friday, September 24 at 3 p.m., and in Chariton on Saturday, the 25 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving memorial gifts to: Circle of Life/Legacy Lodge, 1010 N. 7th, Chariton, IA 50049; First Presbyterian Church, 8th & Braden, Chariton, IA 50049; or the William C. Stuart Scholarship Fund, 216 S. Grand St., Chariton, IA 50049. The family email address is wcstuart.family@gmail.com.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Legacy Lodge staff for their loving care of Bill. We are also grateful to friends and colleagues for the outpouring of love, prayers, cards and sympathy.