William Leonard Stearns

William Leonard Stearns, Jr. 96, passed away at Monday, October 29, 2018 in Henderson, Nevada. William, also known as Bill, Dad, Daddy, Pop Pop, Beel, Billy, Dr. Leonard, and Mr. Stearns was born in Newark, NJ on January 28, 1922 to Cecilia Bernadette Long Stearns and William Leonard Stearns, Sr.

Bill joined the U.S. Naval Service in WW II when he was 18, was promoted many times, ultimately to First Class Petty Officer E-6. He served from 1940 until 1946 in both the Atlantic and Pacific Conferences, earning medals and awards honoring those who served. Bill graduated from Barringer High School and Upsala College in NJ.

He was driven by his love of medicine and pharmaceuticals and was the consummate sales professional even into his 80s. He was one of the first to write about the benefits of generics, publishing in the Wall Street Journal. Bill was a long time resident of West Orange, NJ until he and his wife Mary Abigail Burr moved to Grand Haven, MI for retirement in 1990. He was immensely proud of his children, their families and their accomplishments, and would tell anyone who was willing to listen.

As a frequent visitor to shops in his communities, Bill earned the name of Mayor from many of the shopkeepers. A consummate reader, he was always first in line on Tuesdays when the publishers’ new editions arrived. He was an amazing cook, gathering recipes from all over the world and cooking until only a few months before his death. He earned the honorary title of “Master Chef” from his favorite restaurant. He adored classic film and opera. On any given day, one could hear him singing ad alta voce to the most beautiful arias. Bill was a naturalist and pursued his love of flowers and wildlife. He looked after his flocks of wild turkey, rabbits and quail, the latter visiting twice a day to earn plump raisins from his 6 AM morning visits with them. He was a humanist, embracing different people and languages. He loved to travel, and did!

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary Abigail Burr Stearns, and his sisters Ruth Parsells and Joan Britt. He is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Parry Stearns and her partner Clare Close of Las Vegas NV, Abigail Stearns Montsinger and her husband Mark Montsinger of Germantown TN, grandson Matthew Parker Montsinger of Dallas, Texas, nieces, nephews, his adopted Italian family, friends in the US, Australia and neighbors.

Bill’s private family funeral service will be held Saturday November 24, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV with interment and grave site services in the Spring at Lake Forest Cemetery, Grand Haven, Michigan.

Arrangements are through Palm Mortuary, Eastern Ave in Las Vegas, NV.

Send Flowers or Remembrances to

The Family of William Stearns

2438 Ram Crossing Way

Henderson, NV 89074

and

The Family of William Stearns

8530 Deauville Cove

Germantown, TN 38138