Hugh William Stark

Bill was born April 11, 1937 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to the late Hugh Carlin and Willa Odessa Stark. He was the youngest of five children.

Bill was a proud graduate of The Excelsior Springs High School class of 1955 where he lettered in football, earned the affectionate name “Wee Willie,” and made lifelong friendships and memories with his cherished classmates, never missing a class reunion. It was at The Excelsior Springs First Baptist Church that Bill came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Following high school, Bill headed west to the University of Colorado at Boulder where he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He enlisted in the ROTC program and became a member of the University’s elite Pershing Rifles organization.

It was during college that the beautiful girl down the street caught his eye. He fell in love and married his bride of sixty-five years, and love of his life, Arla May Steele.

In 1958, also while at the University of Colorado, Bill joined the Boulder Lodge (0014) of the Freemasons and later gained the 32rd Degree within the Scottish Rite at the Valley of Cheyenne Lodge in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He maintained his commitment to the Masons and took great pride in his lifelong membership. Bill also belonged to the American Legion and was a member of The Elks.

After graduating from The University of Colorado Bill entered active duty in the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to the 84th Engineer Battalion (Construction) at Fort Ord California. He proudly served his country achieving the rank of Captain. Bill continued his service in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge after twelve years of military service.

Following his active service in the Army, Bill began his career with the Veterans Administration. He quickly earned the position of Chief of Engineering Services. Bill managed the Engineering Services for Veterans Administration hospitals and medical centers from California to South Carolina, to Wyoming eventually settling as Chief of Engineering Services at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama. At the Birmingham VA, Bill managed the Engineering Services and oversaw the construction of the current medical center campus. He was a true professional in every respect maintaining the integrity of his position while also giving great attention to every detail of design and construction. Bill retired from the Veterans Administration after earning many distinctions and honors during his 32 years of service.

Bill was a lifelong learner with an amazing breadth of knowledge. His knowledge of fact and life never stopped expanding. Bill was a man of many talents and passions. His pursuits allowed him to enjoy extensive travels, avid reading, building and construction projects and many hobbies especially his shop and wood working endeavors. A lifelong supporter of the Arts and a lover of all music, he and Arla enjoyed and supported the Alabama Symphony for decades, sitting in their same seats for many years. Proud of and quick to share, Bill never missed a chance to show off the distinct beauty of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to anyone visiting the city. Bill also was a lifelong friend to those in need. He spent many hours helping others with home repairs, car maintenance, side of the road rescues, shelter, and support. He was famous for lending a helping hand and fixing all that was broken. If he couldn’t fix it, he simply built a new one from available resources. He never accepted payment but was known by many to often work for “chip chocolate cookies.” With a deep love for animals and a tender heart, Bill also was a lifelong friend to any dog that crossed his path that looked like it needed care or a home.

Bill was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He loved and cherished deeply his three daughters Mona, Sharon, and Susan and two granddaughters Michele and Katie, his grandson Nathan and numerous nieces and nephews. With four older sisters, Bill was a prepared, devoted, and proud “Girl Dad” always protecting, loving, and supporting his three “Girls.” He shared his life and love of music, woodworking, pets, football, nature, boating, hiking, and traveling with everyone he loved.

Bill was passionate about correspondence giving generously of his time to mail notes and letters and always remembering everyone’s birthday with a card and message. Bill was the ghostwriter for “Penny the Beagle” who penned a Christmas Stark family newsletter every year for 17 years. He kept meticulous records, labeled everything, and believed grammar, manners and etiquette mattered. He tried to make a difference in all he did.

It is with sorrow and eternal gratitude for a life well lived, we mourn the passing of Hugh William Stark. Bill will be forever remembered, greatly loved, and desperately missed by his family and all who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, June Young, Winifred Martin, Joan Wood, and Barbara Vorhees. He is survived by his wife, Arla; three daughters Mona Stark Holmes (Jeff), Sharon Stark Hamner (Pat), and Dr. Susan Stark; and his grandchildren, Nathan Holmes (Katie), Michelle Hamner (Aaron), and Katie Hamner.

Visitation will be at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home 475 Cahaba Valley Road Pelham AL 35124 Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 11 a.m. Services will follow at 12 noon with interment at The National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama immediately following.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Indian Springs Baptist Church, 3375 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL 35124; indianspringschurch.org.