William Jackson Stewart, (Bill to his closest friends, and Billy to those who knew him from childhood), passed away on January 28, 2021 at 9:15am. Bill was 89 years old and was residing at Colonel Robert L Howard State Veterans home in Pell City, Alabama at the time of his passing.
Bill was born on November 4th, 1931 to Hindsman and Margie Mae Stewart in Anniston, Alabama. He attended Anniston High School where he became the schools star quarterback and an Anniston icon. Bill joined the United States Navy and while stationed in Middletown, Connecticut, met his wife Lena Rossitto Stewart, he loved to tell the story that he and a friend flipped a coin and he got the “tall skinny one”, they were married 6 weeks later.
Bill loved life, loved people and treated everyone like he had known them for years, could and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and rarely bit his tongue or held back opinions. His laugh and smiles lit up a room, to say he was “flirtatious”, is a bit of an understatement, but it was a part of his personality that stood out, he never stopped loving those around him and made sure to hug and flirt with his caregivers up until his last moments. The nurses and staff at the Veterans home not only cared for him, he was also in their hearts, as they were in his.
Bill was very active in the Masonic lodge for over 50 years. He was a past master at both Saints James chapter in Anniston, Alabama and Jupiter Light lodge in Jupiter, Florida. He was loved, admired, and respected among his brothers, he took his loyalty to the lodge very seriously and was there to help whenever he was able.
Bill worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft starting in Connecticut and then in Florida, for many years until taking an early retirement.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Margie Mae (Stewart) Johnson, and son-in law, Douglas Johnson of Corpus Christi, Texas
Four grandchildren, John Michael Zurovec, Amanda Dawn Zurovec, Daniel Stewart Zurovec, and Richelle Rose Gudino.
Nine great grandchildren, Lina Wright, John Paul Wright, Isis Zurovec, Siris Zurovec, Lilliana Gudino, Anory Sturtz, Riley Gudino, Zander Sturtz, and Shayne Sturtz, number ten is due in a few weeks.
Sister, Charlotte Stewart, and brother, Dr. James Stewart
One beautiful niece, Kelly (Knighton) Beal, and four nephews, Dave Knighton, Jeff Knighton, Noah Stewart, and Adam Stewart.
Bill’s son, Wllliam J. Stewart Jr. has not been heard from since June of 2004, which weighed heavily on Bill’s heart, he never gave up searching for him.
Bill Stewart was predeceased by his wife, Lena Stewart, brother, Hindsman Stewart Jr. who passed away as an infant, sister, Audrey (Stewart) Knighton, brother-in-law, Edward Knighton and nephew, Charles Knighton.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 2:00 at Gray Brown Service Mortuary. Burial will follow at Eulaton Methodist Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
