AHOY THERE!                                                               

Today with love and gratitude we celebrate and honor the life of William M Stewart: aka Bill/Chief/Sweet Ole Bill. He passed away 10/1/2020 in Palm Desert, California. For those who knew him well, it is a certainty that Bill would greet you with a loud and friendly AHOY!  So AHOY to all his friends and family!

Bill lived a full and adventurous life. He was born in Nebraska December 31, 1925 and grew up on a small farm in Nebraska with siblings Ruth, Tom, Margie, Donna, and Judy. Always ambitious, Bill made the tough decision to start college while still in high school and went on to join the military at 19.  He attended college at several universities including Princeton, University of Nebraska and UNC Chapel Hill. Naturally athletic he ran track, played football for the University of Nebraska, dove for the Navy and was a Golden Gloves boxer. After WW2 Bill travelled the world, before settling in California.

Bill tried his hand working for others.  He became a teller at a bank since “that was where the money was”, only to learn quickly that it was other peoples money and he could only see it, not earn it.  Realizing that, he walked out the door, and his construction career began.  Self-taught, Bill took pride in developing projects from conception to completion. He believed in hard work and was one of the youngest licensed contractors in CA, as well as a realtor, and ballroom dance instructor on the side.  He never forgot family during this time, always making time to help out his folks, take care of friends, or bring his little sister Judy with him to a construction site and spoil her a bit.  

Forever the explorer, Bill made his way to Fairbanks, Alaska while it was still a territory. He continued building projects and creating business' such as the Linger Lodge, Corner 101, Regency Mall, Townhouse  Motel, and Regency Hotel.  He built more houses than we can count and was one of the founders of Denali Bank.  While in Alaska Bill continued his adventures.  He was one of the first to run the Yukon 800, flew all across the state as a bush pilot, and is known for his fishing adventures both on the rivers and out of Valdez.

Bill had a large family.  He had 2 children, Mark and Kathy with his first wife Jacquie and three children, Carolyn (Cat), Nova & Bill with his second wife Julia.  He later married and is survived by his wife of 22 years Connie Stewart, and three step-children Chris, Debra, and Rob Eason. 

Bill had an incredible amount of knowledge and wisdom that he imparted to all he met.  We suffer a great loss but his impact on us will live forever.  Rest well Bill/Chief/Dad/Sweet ole Bill for time marches inexorably onward, whatever that means. Let’s get busy updating heaven and get plenty of rest because tomorrow is a workday and we've got concrete to pour. Huckle de Buck, Chop Chop, Yes Yes, Oh Balls!  Order a double bourbon with a beer chaser, have a hot cocoa and a blueberry muffin, and give a final Ahoy there to the other side.