William Stafford

William Earl Stafford, age 83, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 surrounded by loving family, friends and caregivers throughout the day. Bill, to all who knew him, was born on March 25th, 1941. A celebration of his life will be held Monday, December 9,

2024, at 2 p.m. at Ridout's Valley Chapel Funeral Home, 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209. Burial will be private at The Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert Earl and Gladys (Green) Stafford. He is survived by his daughter, Mitzie Y. Stafford of Snellville, GA, sister Mary Louise Johnson of Raleigh, NC nieces Penny Swindle, Melody Botts and nephew Keith Johnson.

Immediately following high school at Ensley High, Bill joined the United States Marine Corps, where among many achievements, he qualified as an expert sharp shooter. 1000 Marines, including Bill, were also featured in the 1962 film The Longest Day about the first day of the World War II D-Day landings in Normandy. After serving in the Marines, Bill later became part of the Marine Corps League. He was also a Devil Dog and took part in many charity events for the Marine Corps and veterans of all military branches.

Bill often said if you really found a job you loved, work would be like play. After working many jobs over the years from milk delivery, coffee delivery, motor home sales to eighteen wheeler truck sales, he finally found that job he loved with Altec Industries retired as a region VP of Sales at 65. His Altec work family remained part of his life after retirement as well as many of his customers who became golf buddies and life long friends. Bill found he needed something else to do after he retired so he started his next fun job as an Uber and Lyft driver. He loved meeting and talking to all of his customers and soon had repeat customers requesting him on a regular basis.

Bill was also an avid shag dancer. He loved to golf and went on an annual Redneck Golf Tournament for charity - His group even made it on the cover of Golf Digest one year. He also enjoyed skeet shooting, target practice and hunting trips. Bill was also known for his famous Uncle Bill's Pickled Shrimp and Stuffed Celery for holiday occasions.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to Support United States Marine Corps veteran students with a donation to the United States Marine Corps League Howlin' Mad Smith Det #592 Scholarship.This scholarship, given in memory of Dr. Eugene B. Sledge, awards two $500 annual scholarships to deserving University of Montevallo United States Marine Corps veteran students.

Scholarship applicants must:

1. Have applied to and been accepted to the University of Montevallo; and 2. Be a veteran of the United States Marines.*

Donate today at montevallo.edu/scholarships-giving to help a deserving Marine Corps veteran. From the Designation drop-down field, Select Sledge, Dr. Eugene Memorial Scholarship.

*Priority will be given to veterans of the United States Marines. In the case that there are no eligible United States Marine Corps veterans, the scholarship will be awarded to a child of a United States Marine Corps veteran.