Wilver D. "WILLIE" Stargell

On April 9, 2001, Wilver "Willie" Dornel Stargell died at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.
Born in Earlsboro, Oklahoma on March 6, 1940, Willie is survived by his wife, Margaret Weller-Stargell, and a beloved pet, Swayze. Five children, Wendy Stargell of Claremont, CA, Precious Stargell, Dawn Stargell Moore (Jason), Wilver Jr., (Nicole), all of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kelli Stargell of Herndon, Virginia. He is also survived by fivegrandchildren, Cody, Derrick, Cheyenne, Dakota, and Jamar; his mother, Gladys Russell, one sister, Sandrus Collier; and a nephew, Clai Collier; his mother-in-law, Katherine Weller, and two sisters-in-law, Katherine Bell Moore and Frances Weller, and special cousins, Jonathan Stargell and Jay Hunt, along with a host of loving relatives and friends.
One of the greatest home run hitters ever, in volume and in distance, Stargell hit 475 home runs. The seven times All-Star player was the franchise leader in homers, RBIs and extra-base hits. As a cleanup batter for most of his career, the Pirates won World Series championships and NL pennants in 1971 and six NL East titles from 1970-79.
Affectionately known as ""Pops'', Willie was a dynamic leader on the field and off. He is best known for this ""Stargell stars'' which was a coveted rallying force behind the Championship Series in 1979. For nearly 30 years, Willie was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium not once but twice. Willie enjoyed his best season in 1971 with 48 home runs and 125 RBI's. But it was in 1979, that Willie is probably most remembered as the one man act.
On February 11, 1997, Willie Stargell returned to the Pirates' organization as a special assistant to the General Manager Cam Bonafay. Most recently, he was named Special Advisor to Kevin McClatchey, CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Willie was also a narrator for several symphonies, including most recently the Pittsburgh Symphony this past October. He performed two shows to sell-out audiences. It was the same weekend that Willie threw out the final pitch inThree Rivers Stadium.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, 2001, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 16th and Market Street by the Reverend Joseph W. Cooper. The family will receive friends Friday, April 13, at 8:00p.m. at the Church on the Servant at 4925 Oriole Drive.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice and donations of blood to the American Red Cross.