William Walter Stafford

William “Bill” Walter Stafford, 85, of West Palm Beach, FL went to be with his Heavenly Father on April 24, 2025. Born on June 17, 1939 in Sharon, PA, William was the son of Kenneth H. Stafford and Mary E. (Sadler) Stafford.

Bill grew up in Orangeville, OH as the youngest of five children. In 1959 he joined the United States Marine Corps. After four proud years of service, he returned to Ohio and married his longtime sweetheart, Carolyn (Tamplin), in 1964. Bill started a sanitation business in Garrettsville, but began to feel a calling to the ministry. He moved his family to Mount Vernon, OH in 1970 and attended Mount Vernon Bible College. He worked as a youth leader until 1980 when he began his life’s work as a chaplain at the Mohican Youth Center in Loudonville, OH where he provided spiritual counseling for 28 years. Bill retired in 1999 and moved to West Palm Beach, FL to be near family. He worked part time at The Southlake condominiums in Palm Beach, FL as a doorman, a job he loved.

Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn; two children, William Russell Stafford (Alicia) and Katy Marhee (James); two grandchildren, Ava Marhee and James William Marhee; and two siblings, Gladys Baldwin and Kenneth Stafford Sr (Gerry). He is preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Hallie Kolod and James Michael Stafford Sr.

Bill loved his Lord Jesus Christ, his family, his country, and his dogs. He was a father figure to many, someone you could always turn to, and he will be forever loved and missed.

A commemoration of Bill’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, May 23, at South Florida National Cemetery (6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449). A reception will follow at 12:00 pm at St. Patrick Church (13591 Prosperity Farms Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410).

Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan's Purse: P.O. Box 3000. Boone, NC 28607.