William Allen Stanley

William (Bill) Allen Stanley of Fort Wayne, Indiana, died December 30, 2024 from injuries suffered in a fall on December 23, 2024. Born on February 23, 1931 in Allen County, Bill was the son of the late Roy Cuppy Stanley and Ruth Hortense (Besson) Stanley.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Sally Jane (Williams) Stanley on December 23, 2016. Surviving their beloved father are children, Jennifer Mae (Jeffery Isaac Rosenberg) Stanley, and Jeannine Elizabeth (David John) Wilkin; grandchildren, Emma Jane and James Stanley Wilkin; siblings, Margaret Ann Richard (Charles deceased) of Woodbridge, VA; James Lee (Kathleen) Stanley of Delta, OH; and Charlotte Ruth (Nathan deceased) Turnbow of Churubusco, IN.; and many nieces and nephews, in whom he took delight.

Bill was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses: Helene Louise Stanley (Andrew) Reddy, Jean Elizabeth Stanley (Richard) Hanauer, Charles Besson (Elaine) Stanley, John Roy (Roberta) Stanley, Robert David (Virginia L.) Stanley, and Joan Marie (Rolland) Mitchell.

Bill was a direct descendent of Thomas Stanley Sr. and his son, Thomas Stanley Jr. It was on their donated land, around 1721, that the Cedar Creek Meeting House was built in what is now Montpelier, Virginia. Cedar Creek has the distinction of being the first Quaker meeting house in Virginia to call for the abolition of slavery in 1766.

Bill graduated from Washington Center High School in 1949. In 1951, he enlisted in the Army, S. Company 502 InF, 101st Airborne Division. He was wounded on October 16, 1951 in Korea, where he was awarded the Purple Heart.

After he came home from Korea, he married his girl, Sally, on July 30,1955. After 35 years of marriage he wrote on a Valentine's Day card that having her for his wife and sharing her life was his idea of happiness, they got another 26 years together.

His love of cars led him to auto sales at Hefner Chevrolet. Later he joined the United States Post Office as a letter carrier, walking several miles every day on his route. Many children and dogs appreciated his friendliness and dog treats.

Libraries and reading were a great love for him, especially biographies and history. Days before he passed, Bill expressed excitement that he learned something new about the American Civil War while reading Erik Larson’s The Demon of Unrest. He was also excited reading Eric H. Cline’s books 1177 B.C. and After 1177 B.C. He was reading three books at once, while also rereading parts of The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam.

The Chicago Cubs continually broke his heart until the 2016 World Series win. He was a big IU fan and watched their basketball and football games, often with “spirited” commentary.

Bill loved telling stories about growing up on the family farms in Indiana. He, his brother Bob, James and their father Roy, farmed about 300 acres during WWII. He liked to recount the story about the first time he flew in a plane. As a young boy he and a friend saw a plane land in a field. They asked the pilot if they could get a ride, and for a few dollars the pilot took Bill and his buddy for an exhilarating flight above the Indiana farm fields. Which fueled his love for flying - he always requested a window seat.

Bill also enjoyed sharing that when he was about 16 years old, he had appendicitis and needed surgery. He recuperated in the hospital for a week and paid for the surgery and hospital bill with his summer “tomato money,” ~$150.

After his retirement from the post office, Bill went out in the garage one day and built an armoire without plans. He just did it! For the next two decades, he and Sally had a cottage business of making, painting, refinishing, and selling furniture. They quickly gained a loyal following, and to this day people still stop by the house to inquire about the next sale. Brother-in-law, Brownie and brother, Charlie often supplied Bill with antique wood. When Charlie decided to pull down his 100-year-old barn, he offered Bill the wood. Bill used the solid oak boards to build various pieces, including an apothecary and pie cupboard.

Bill and Sally were adventure buddies in caring for family and friends, travel, and daily life. Bill and Sally traveled around the USA, Central America, and Europe. After Sally’s death and until his last day, Bill continued a vibrant life of reading, walking outside or at the gym, traveling, enjoying good food, baseball, football, hearty laughter, and adventures with his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. There are no words for how deeply he will be missed.

A memorial service for William (Bill) Allen Stanley will be held at D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes - Lakeside Park, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN with calling at 11:00 am and service at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Emily Yott Foundation, Inc., 176 Logan St. #386, Noblesville, IN 46060, [email protected] or to “Clothes for Joes” at https://www.clothesforjoes.org/donate.