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William Stuef Obituary
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He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Karl and Donald.
He is survived by his sisters Patricia Simpson and Mary Banfill; his children Susan Shoffstall and husband David; David Stuef and husband James; John Stuef and wife Angela; his grandchildren Charles, Jason, Kelly, Rachel, and six great grandchildren.
He was married to Janice Faye (nee Wells) Neiswender from 1958 until 1980.
He was a graduate of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI and held a degree in Engineering from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI.
He started his career as an automotive engineer with Chevrolet and American Motors. In 1967, he joined Ford Motor Company where he held numerous engineering and management positions for more than 40 years. He led a series of high-profile projects at Ford that impacted auto design technology. In the 1980s, he led a team that developed the first lightweight graphite vehicle. In the 1990s, he was Manager of Ford's Vehicle Design and Propulsion Technology Department where he led major innovation projects to test aluminum as an alternative to steel. He was widely quoted in industry publications such as Automotive News and Design News, as well as the New York Times, Newsweek, and other media outlets. After retiring from Ford, he continued as an independent engineering consultant for several years.
He moved to Sarasota, FL in 2016 to be close to family. In addition to his passion for cars, he was an avid reader, led an active lifestyle including exercise and biking, and enjoyed boating, travel, and home projects.
He was a proud and caring father, grandfather, and friend with a sharp wit and optimistic approach to life. He was a generous to numerous organizations and individuals, always looking for opportunities to "pay it forward."
The family thanks the staff of Westminster Memory Care, Manatee Memorial Hospital, and Tidewell Hospice House for their compassionate care.
Services will be private.
Memorial donations may be sent to Quest, Inc. which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities (questinc.org) or Magnify of Central Florida (magnifyfl.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
David Brooks
January 16, 2024
I´m sending love and light to the Stuef family as I reflect on and am inspired by Bill´s kindness, generosity, and sweet spirit!
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Frank bartson
January 15, 2024
Riding with Bill on his Honda 1000 and running around the neighborhood.
Daniel F Simpson
January 15, 2024
It was the early 1980's. Uncle Bill would show up at each family gathering and throw me the keys to the latest Ford product on the road. It made me feel special that he trusted me to drive his vehicle. One such time he threw me the keys but cautioned me to be careful. Boy was he right! It was a high output 5.0 Mustang. The sound of the Mustang was a sure sign of power and performance. The first time I let out the clutch I realized why he cautioned me.
Each gear could push you back further into the seat. Tires were spinning and it was hard to keep it straight. Thanks Uncle Bill for sharing that experience with me. That is how I will always remember my Uncle Bill. Love ya, Your nephew Dan.
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912 53rd Ave W., Bradenton, FL 34207
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