William A. "Bill" Stewart

He was born on January 17, 1922, in Lavelle, Pennsylvania. He married Patricia Hissong Kelly on June 25, 1983, and she preceded him in death on January 11, 2011.

Bill graduated from high school in Ashland, PA, in 1938, and served in the US Air Force from 1939 to 1960, retiring in the grade of Captain. His service during World War II included 37 combat missions as a B-29 Flight Engineer against Japan with the 881st Bomb Squadron based on Saipan. William’s decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals, and a number of campaign and service medals. Post-war, he served with Strategic Air Command in Okinawa and Savannah, Georgia, and later at Chanute AFB, Illinois, as a Flight Engineer Training Instructor, and followed in the same capacity at Mather AFB at Sacramento, CA. Near the end of his military career, William attended the University of Colorado to obtain an Aeronautical Engineering degree. After his military retirement in 1960, he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute while employed by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft as a test engineer on the fuel cell powerplant being developed there for the Apollo program. In 1964, William joined the National Aerospace Intelligence Center (NAIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio as a civil service employee, conducting and reporting highly classified technical intelligence analyses of Soviet Intercontinental ballistic missiles in collaboration with analysts at CIA, DIA, NSA, and the intelligence arms of allied nations. In conjunction with these activities, he represented the Air Force at meetings of a national-level intelligence committee. William’s work was recognized with the Air Force Scientific Achievement Award. At the time of his retirement from Civil Service in 1991 as Technical Director of Missile and Space Systems at NAIC in Grade GS-15, he was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Medal. In his spare time, he took great pleasure in writing, immersing himself in literature, and tending to projects around the home. He was widely regarded as a consummate gentleman.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Rose, Ethel, Betz, and Grace; and brother, Frank.

Bill is survived by his son, Daniel (wife, Margie) Stewart of Mequon, WI; daughter, Dr. Michelle (husband, Dr. John) Otis of La Jolla, CA; stepson, Stephen (wife, Diane) Kelly of Melissa, TX; stepdaughters, Mary C. Kelly and Connie (husband, William) O’Sullivan both of Springfield and Dr. Susan (husband, Dr. George, deceased) Blackburn of Boston, MA; sister, Theresa Gregonis of Savage, MD; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Private family burial will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to HSHS Hospice.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.