William Steven Stella

William “Bill” Steven Stella, 81, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Born in Portage, Wisconsin, Bill was an adventurer, traveling and building a life with his family all over the country. He spent his last twenty years in Columbia, SC, a block away from his daughter and her husband and children, deeply involved in family life, and enjoying the natural world around him.

Art, beauty and design were core to who Bill was. He studied art at San Francisco State University after serving in the United States Army as a Green Beret, 82nd Airborne. He then made his living as a carpenter, contributing his wisdom, knowledge and craftsmanship to fine carpentry and wood carving for people’s homes, as well as to construction of huge projects including the Boeing aircraft plant in Seattle.

Bill was passionate about nature and loved all animals. He doted on his daughter’s family’s pets, who he deemed “furry gods”. He spent his recent years caring for Pixie, Bailey, and Penny (who he helped rescue) – and we know he is already cuddling with Sophie, Whiskers, Ariel, and the rest of our furry friends who were there to greet him on the Rainbow Bridge.

He loved bicycling, cared deeply about the environment, and was a fierce champion of women’s athletics and women’s power more generally. He hoped for a world of clean energy, shared resources, peace, and justice. He was also a lifelong supporter of Pepsi (which he called the “Elixir of Life”), Star Wars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Taco Bell Chalupas, tulips, the Great Blue Heron at the neighborhood lake, and the number eight – not because it was lucky, but because its image represents infinity and the continuity of energy and all life.

Bill is survived by his children and grandchildren, Maryah (Stella) Fram and husband, Paul Fram and their children, Noah Roy Zachary and Madeline Rae (fiancé, Zakary Amen) and Josha Stella and wife, Kathryn (Bragg) Stella and their son, Blaise Alexander (wife, Shayla) Stella. He is survived as well by his ex-wife, Ann Stirlen, a dancer whose partnership produced many years of love; incredible, powerful art; and two beloved children. Bill is also survived by close friends, including Jennifer Jinot and Cheryl Feldman whose support and connection was so important, especially over the last years of his life.

Bill – Dad, Grampa Grampa – will be profoundly missed. His spirit, wisdom, humor, downright silliness, generosity, and passionate confidence in those he loved both guide us forward and call us to bring light and joy into the world as we carry his memory with us.

To honor his memory, we invite donations in his name to the National Wildlife Federation at https://www.nwf.org/

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.