- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
William F. Stair
Final services for Mr. Stair will be April 6, 2:00 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. Please arrive by 1:30.rnrnFew have sacrificed more for their country. A WWII firefight in North Africa left him in a wheelchair from the age of 20. People forgot to tell him he was supposed to complain about such things: rnhe lead life to the fullest. He kept the books straight for the State of Delaware, was never happier than heading to Delaware Park with racing form in hand (he even taught his surrogate grandkids how to play the ponies) and went deep sea fishing, and was brave enough to be a Giants fan in Eagles country. rnBill was pre-deceased by his wife, Marie and is survived by a nephew, Dean Smith and his wife, Caroline, with whom he lived; a brother, Daniel Smith; two sisters: Eileen Day and Bertha Stile. He was surrogate grandfather to Thomas, Kathleen, and Amy Marie Smith.rnDonations to the charity of the donor’s choice will be appreciated.rnCome celebrate 89 upbeat years Wednesday, March 10, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, 1518 Kings Hwy., Swedesboro. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30AM at St. Joseph’s Church, Swedesboro. Burial with full Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. rnrn
18 Comments
I unfortunatly didn’t get to spend enough time with Uncle Bill, but the visits to the VA were some I’ll never forget. About a month ago I went with my daughter and she sang him songs and danced for him till his eyes teared up with joy. He loved the cakes I brought in and really liked the digital frame the Paolillo’s gave him for Christmas. His sister, Bertha, had such a great time visiting with him and told me stories of how great Uncle Bill was at diffrent times in his life. He served our country, and lived his life to the fullest and always maintained an optomistic opinion on anything. He will be missedrnrnStephanie Stile and Vera Marie
My Uncle Bill was decorated war veteran (Purple Heart), who went from pro baseball prospect to someone they said who would never walk. Uncle Bill did walk, with braces on his legs and a cane. He lived a life that set an example of how to positively impact your family and community He taught me how to fish, love sports, and get back up when you fall (which he literally did quite often when I was growing up). I remember one time we were attending a hockey game, the LI Ducks, on the way in Uncle Bill slipped and fell. I was 10 and there was no way I could help him up – he calmly asked a passing man for a hand and pulled himself up. On the way out as we walked thru the parking lot he slipped again and fell. Same drill, calmly asked a passerby would you please help me up. No bitterness, no foul words from Uncle Bill, he just talked about the game and how great it was to be out at the game. We went to two more Ducks game that year – happy to say we just enjoyed the game and he did not fall. He was a true hero in my life. William Stair will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors, he is the reason we enjoy our families today. If I learned one thing from my Uncle – When you fall down, it will be fine, ask for a hand to help you up, dust yourself off and enjoy the game.
Dean,nnYou are a good person and have set an example for all of us the way you supported Uncle Bill. Thank you. I would also like to thank Caroline and your family, without their support none of this would be possible.
Uncle Bill was a great man. I always enjoyed spending time with him at our family gatherings. It was always great talking sports with him, especially baseball. He will be greatly missed. He will always be in my heart. I Love you Uncle Bill.
I love Uncle Bill because he gave me the flag.
Many of my earliest memories are of our Wonderful Uncle Bill. He would drive out to our house in Commack to visit with family and friends. He would take the time to push my young friends and me on the swings for what seemed hours. Afterwards, he would buy us all ice cream from the ice cream man. The God-Given love in Uncle Bill’s heart prevailed over any bitterness or unforgiveness. During my teen years, he would marry the love of his life, Aunt Marie. We would spend many more days filled with laughter and fun at their houses in Delaware and the Poconos. Uncle Bill always had a kind word and a smile. His gentle, humble spirit and optimistic attitude came through in every encounter; this must be why he was loved by so many.
I too remember wonderful days in the Poconos with Uncle Bill and Aunt Marie. He was a profoundly decent man. I can not remember him ever angry or saying anything bad about anyone. He always rose above family friction, and saw the good in all of his relatives and all people generally. He has set us a really good example to try and emulate.rnI also wish to thank Dean, Caroline and their family for all that they did with Bill and for Bill in his last years. I will forever be indebted to Dean for bringing him to my swearing-in ceremony. His presence made a big difference to me. rnRest in peace, Uncle Bill!
Subject: ReflectionnnI felt like this was a good time to reflect and share with you something I have learned over the past 4 days.nnFrom stories that I have read and things I have seen online, I have come to realize that the passing of my Great-Uncle Bill has been a time of reflection. Through that reflection I have seen how this man impacted some people in my life that have influenced me.nnMy grandmother and myself were not close for the last year of her life. It was through that distance that gave me an appreciation now that I didn’t ever feel before her passing. It was at the funeral that I began to understand that I want to make her proud and have a family of my own, a thought her and I often joked about because the idea of having kids was not in my “master plan”.nnThe single greatest thing my grandmother taught me is something that I can now pinpoint through the stories that my mom’s brother Bill has told.nnI think Grandma’s sense of never giving up, but always giving, came in part from her brother. I think Grandma’s sense of never using the word can’t, but always using the word can, came in part from her brother. I think that all those years that I refuted Grandma’s caring wisdom, I didn’t realized that she had her own life and experiences. She had brothers and sisters. Children who I called Mom, Aunt and Uncle. Experiences that I was never privy to, never mindful of. Always shaping her thoughts and advice. I was being prepared to realize later on that the wisdom she had to pass along was invaluable. She was teaching me so that I can pass it along to my cousins, my neices and nephews and children of my own.nnI suppose the real reason I write this is because I find it ironic that I didn’t have much interaction in my life with Uncle Bill, or for that matter people like Uncle Sonny. But I feel now more than ever that they are a part of my life because of what I learned my Grandmother.nnLet us all count our blessings today, as we remember that there is no such thing as can’t. That when we fall down we shall pick ourselves up. That we should not complain, but perservere. Most importantly, appreciate each other as family.nnTheir legacies live through us.nnDustin
Dean & Caroline,nnmy deepest sympothy for the los. Of Uncle Bill! He was a great man andy fondest memory was when I came up to visit from Atlanta and we decided to take Uncle Bill to the Casinos. Little did we know that Uncle Bill would sneak out of the one casino we were all at and go to another casino further down the boardwalk and show up 4 hours later than the scheduled meeting time, but he had so much fun down there!!!! We will miss him and he is with loved ones now! May he rest is peace! nnDave Duffyn
I can’t believe it’s over 40 years that I have know Bill. A large imposing figure that was as gentle as they come. I will always remeber Bill’s youthful side. He wanted to play every day, it didn’t matter if it was the casino’s in Atlantic City, the horse track at Delaware State Park or penny poker with the kids. Bill was the center of attention, it was were he was most comfortable. He was a man of god and if I’m right there is an argument pending where Bill will make his case. God bless Bill, he will be missed dearly.
Here is a video I put together in Uncle Bill’s honor. If this code doesn’t work, please see it on facebook.n
Dean and Caroline….my deepest sympathy to you during this difficult time. When “Uncle Bill” used to live with you, and I’d come over with the kids to play, he was always so cheerful as he greeted us all as the tornado of noisy kids would enter his home! I think he even looked forward to the fun, noisy chaos! I think he enjoyed that we all called him “Uncle Bill”. If it was a nice sunny day, you could be sure that Uncle Bill would be sitting outside enjoying the day….catching some rays. He was truly a blessed man to have you as his family.
Even though he was not my real uncle, I still called him Uncle Bill. He felt like one to me. We all shared many joyous holidays with him, the ones I remember are the ones where we played silly trivia games. Uncle Bill always had me wondering where he got his answers!!! I came to find out later that his answers were right! There really is a “Bat Masterson”. Cheers to you Uncle Bill. You will be very missed at the next holiday gathering, but I am sure you will still really be there. We love you. Lorraine, Bill, Tara and Jake Lister xoxoxoxoxo
My fondest memories about Bill & myself was fishing. We fished everywhere on Long Island. The ocean side and the sound side. Bill was the only one I considered my fishing buddy, he also express to me the same feelings, when we went out on our trips we never knew what troble we were going to get into, but we also manage to come home safe and with fish, having a great time doing it. As far as I am concern, I loss my one and only fishing partner. GOD BLESS YOU BILL
Bill has left a legacy that will live on for generations in the examples he set for his nieces and nephews and for the next generation. What a special person he was, I have wonderful memories of the many visits to my house and to Long Island to play with all the kids. He would much rather be outside with the children than sitting and gabbing with the adults. His brother Sonny learned from him and followed his example and his nephews Matthew and Cameron now do the same. Rest in Peace, Bill.. you deserve it. I love you so much….
William F. Stair Will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors, On April 6, 2010 at 2:00 PM Miss you Buddy!
My memories of my uncle go all the way back to early child hood. He was always a great guy who took time out for children. Him and Aunt Marie always made you feel welcome. I remember the Poconos home they had. All of us would go there and have fun. My uncle inspired me to serve our country and through tough times I used his sacrifice as fuel to get me through. I had the privelegde of fishing with him one last time a couple of years ago and I can honestly say it was one of the best trips in my life. Thanks Uncle “bull” as you will be missed. I know you are in heaven with Aunt Marie enjoying each others company. You were one of a kind.