William Griffin "Bill" Stewart Jr.

William ""Bill'' Griffin Stewart, Jr., 91, entered the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, Monday, December 25, 2006, at his son's residence in Houston, TX. A native of Moss Point, MS, and long time resident of Baton Rouge, LA, he served Copolymer Rubber and Chemical Company as a Mechanical Engineer in various staff and management positions and as a Purchasing Agent until his retirement in 1977. Mr. Stewart attended Millsaps College and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1938, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, where he was a charter member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He worked as an engineer for the Mississippi State Highway Department and supported the WW II war effort as an inspector for the U.S. Department of Aeronautics at Bendix Corporation in Teterboro, New Jersey, before moving to Baton Rouge. In 1948, he married Annie Pearl Brock, the love of his life for 56 years, and they resided in Baton Rouge until her death in 2004. Mr. Stewart was an active member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church, and past-president of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Salvation Army. In addition to his wife, Mr. Stewart is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Stewart, Sr. of Moss Point, MS; a son, William Griffin Stewart III; and a sister, Mary Stewart Blades. Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Judith Stewart of Houston, TX; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Peter Torsch of Metairie, LA; three grandchildren, Peter Stewart, Lauren Torsch, and Patrick Torsch; a sister, Helen Stewart Bunker of Natchez, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, LA after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2006. Religious services to follow at the church at 11:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Ken Carroll. Graveside service and interment will follow at Griffin Cemetery, Moss Point, MS, at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050. Rabenhorst Funeral Home East is in charge of arrangements.