William John Stewart

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University of Missouri

William Stewart Obituary

William John Stewart, III

1943 - 2015

Bill Stewart, a devoted father, husband, and friend, died in his sleep on December 14 after a valiant four-month battle with cancer. Bill graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Missouri, and a M.S. in Social Science from Azuza Pacific University. He was a long-time resident of Palm Desert, a devoted member of Southwest Church, and an active member and treasurer of CoDA of the Desert. He leaves behind his wife, Beverly; his son, Christopher; his sister, Mary Lou (Marc Atkins); mother-in-law Fran Price; sister-in-law Jean Shea; brother-in-law Sam Price; cousins Susan Bigelow, Peggy Eddy, and Marcia Richardson; along with many, many friends and acquaintances he made over the years through his teaching, his advocacy, and his worship. Bill was a kind and generous person, always looking out for others, and always willing to help a friend. He will be very missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of his military service and that of his nephew Lee Stewart Atkins. (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 3:00 p.m. at Southwest Church, 44175 Washington Street, Indian Wells, CA 92210.

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Published by The Desert Sun from Dec. 19 to Dec. 20, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for William Stewart

7 Entries

Garry Copeland

January 4, 2016

Beverly, Chris, and Laurie
Thank you for sharing such lovely memories.

Tommy Archuleta

December 25, 2015

Bill was my teacher in grade school, I would run into him years later in coda when I was going thru some real tough times His kindness and caring personality seemed to make my situation go away and I grew very fond of him. Then It seems I would see him everywhere at job sites at church, he always had a smile and kind words. I would often kid him and tell him how great he looked and that I really knew how old he was, I can't believe he's gone. He will be missed .

Jim Lamb

December 25, 2015

So sorry to learn of Bill's passing. He was a friend, a client and a brother. RIP Bill.

Beverly, Chris, and Laurie Stewart

December 22, 2015

Bill was born and raised in suburban Kansas City but his spiritual home was his grandfather's farm about an hour's drive south in rural Kansas. He had a very special connection with his grandfather who was a great influence on his life. Bill and his sister Laurie spent most every weekend on the farm, fixing fences, feeding chickens, tending to the cows, bailing hay. It's easy to see that his love of outdoors his many solitary early morning hikes up the foothills and his love of animals more recently hummingbirds, rabbits, and cats -- was formed in his many days working the farm. He and Beverly returned there after several years in Palm Desert and Chris spent his early years living there too. Bill and Bev loved camping, starting with a tent and a rope, then when they could afford it, a popup camper, and then after Chris came they traded in the camper for a truck with a cab-over. They picked up Laurie one summer in San Francisco when Chris was a baby and they all camped together, traveling up Northern California then down again, camping on the beach on their way back to the farm. And from their Kansas City days Bill and Bev loved antiquing (in fact, there's a beautiful large oak table and chairs available if anyone is interested). Bill was accomplished at refinishing antique furniture and even one year opened a shop in Palm Desert with friends from Minnesota. Bill also loved cars. In high school Laurie rode shotgun as Bill spent most weekends in races against time in his MG-A sports car. Over the years, he owned more cars than we can remember (always used, never new). He seemed to have a special love for Cadillacs; the more chrome the better. And anyone who rode with him knew that he would always park in the farthest parking spot so that no other cars would park next to him to avoid a dent or nick on his car door.

In Palm Desert, their home for more than 40 years, Bill and Bev taught school for many years. Bill taught middle school math and coached basketball. He loved working with kids. He stayed involved in education all his life, including directing an after school learning center for kids who needed extra help here at the church for several years. And he also loved animals. Several years ago someone abandoned some rabbits and Bill, Bev and others in the neighborhood took it on themselves to keep them fed. Bill built a cage for the newborns to protect them from predators. He was so attentive to the rabbits it seemed that he spent more on groceries for his rabbits than himself.

Bill also worked in real estate, and more recently as a firearm safety instructor, and what was constant throughout his career was his attention to detail and his caring and thoughtful concern that made him so good at what he did. He was deeply devoted to family -- Beverly and Chris but also his late parents, Bill and Jane, his sister Laurie, and his cousin Susie. When his mom was at the end of her life, he quit his job to care for her full time so she could stay in her home. And when Laurie lost her son tragically a few years ago, he called her every day without fail for over a year; checking in on her, wanting to hear her voice, to see that she was making it through.

People were drawn to Bill, perhaps because he was such a good listener. He was non-judgmental, patient, warm, giving, and always interested in what other people had to say. He was the best friend anyone could want. He was a conservative man; cautious, careful, and respectful of tradition; no surprise that while in intensive care and semi-conscious he was asked which channel he wanted and predictably said Fox news. He was deeply religious and highly patriotic. He was proud of his military service, proud of his country, and keenly attuned to the needs of veterans. But he didn't need to prove these things to people. He was quiet about his faith, and quiet about his beliefs, and he was tolerant of others who were different. These were the values that he lived by.

Things were not always easy they never are but Bill never backed down and never gave in. He overcame his addiction to alcohol with the strong support of CoDA and rarely missed a Thursday morning men's club breakfast or a weekly meeting. His CoDA buddies were among his closest and dearest friends. And he was a kind and caring partner to Beverly. He would tell her that he liked doing things for her and would go out of his way to show he cared. Like, when they lived in Kansas, Bill would leave a piece of coconut pie in the car for her as a treat for when she was finished teaching. He was a fighter right till the end, telling us many times that we'll get through this. He was strong, and brave, and always hopeful, and he never complained even when things got really tough. We loved him very much and he will be forever in our hearts.

Mary Beth Mittleman

December 22, 2015

I met Bill over 5 years ago and grew to love him dearly. He was always there to help me in creating successful events. He was truly a messenger of love, service and unity. Bill's kind heart and twinkly eyes lit up the room. He was the most genuine and humble man. I will miss him.

I found an email I sent to Bill and Beverly after a CoDA event.

Dear Beverly & Bill:
Thank you both for being in service.
Bill, I appreciate you setting up the literature, collecting the seventh tradition, and so much more. And to you Beverly for set up and grapes arrangement and being available for clean up, etc. Your contribution made a difference for the evening.
Look forward to many more amazing events.

Grateful to you both. Grateful for recovery.

From My Heart,
Mary Beth

Scott Pam

December 22, 2015

Bill was one of my closest friends and I will miss him.

Carl/Bonnie Partyka

December 21, 2015

We are so grateful for the firearms training & friendship that Bill shared with us!! Our time with Beverly & Bill this summer at our Arrowhead cabin is a cherished memory.

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