William J. Stewart

William James Stewart entered the world on May 15th, 1943. Born to Florence Marie and William Lindsay Stewart in the town of Norwood, Massachusetts. From an early age, William (commonly known as Bill in later years) embodied a healthy sense of adventure and service. His participation within the Boy Scouts of America illustrated this commitment and desire to fulfill these inclinations. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as playing ice hockey on the lake behind his house on Carpenter Road, or fishing during the summer months. His love of the sea was most likely spurred from his adventures on that very lake. Upon completion of High School, William enlisted in the United States Navy on July 14th, 1960, in Boston Massachusetts.

During his initial four years, William attended Basic Submarine School from July to August 1961 and subsequently reported for duty to the USS Chopper (SS 342). During his time aboard the Chopper, he attended the Quartermaster Course from April to May 1963. In the summer of 1963, William reported to the USS Barracuda (SST-3) and served aboard her until March 1967, with a brief assignment aboard the USS Trutta (SS 421) from October to November 1963. In the summer of 1964, he reenlisted continuing his service onboard the USS Barracuda in Key West, Florida. William reported back for duty aboard the USS Chopper from March of 1967 to April 1968. Upon completion of his service aboard the USS Chopper, William executed orders to join the crew of the USS Sea Poacher (SS 406), fulfilling his duties aboard her until July 1968. He rounded out his tour in Key West with Commander Submarine Squadron Twelve (COMSUBRON 12) until August 1970. During his Service in Key West, William conducted numerous patrols during the height of the Cold War and executed vital services in support of the nation’s defense. Additionally, William sought to further his civilian education completing numerous courses at the Florida Keys Junior College and Florida State University.

As if serving aboard diesel submarines, thwarting threats against our nation, and projecting U.S. dominance and protection throughout the globe was not exciting enough; William also earned his civilian pilots license during his tenure in Key West. Through this experience, his love of not only the sea but also of flight would grow. He would subsequently invest in buying a small single-engine Cessna, flying thousands of miles throughout the country. He would also earn money with his plane. During this time, Key West did not have mortuary services available. Therefore, human remains had to find their way to the mainland for proper mortuary services. This is where William would contract out his services, strapping recently deceased individuals into the front passenger seat of his Cessna and flying them over to mainland Florida for proper respects.

In the summer of 1970, William departed the beautiful beaches and ample liberty risks of Key West, Florida for San Diego, California. There he reported to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). While onboard, he deployed to the Tonkin Gulf in support of numerous operations during the Vietnam War and achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2). In the fall of 1973, William detached from the crew of the USS Kitty Hawk and traveled east where he served at the Naval District in Washington D.C. until the Spring of 1975. After his tour of duty in our nation’s capital, he executed a permanent change of station orders to the USS Kittiwake (ASR 13). He served aboard her until December 1977.

Between the years 1978 and 1981 several momentous events occurred. The first of these life milestones was the marriage between Deanna D. Gillaspy and William J. Stewart on January 3rd, 1978. This would begin a lifelong marriage of 42 years on this earth. Two years after their marriage, Deanna gave birth to their first child, Jamie. After receiving the blessings of a beautiful wife and daughter, William packed up his new family and reported for duty in Keypoint, Washington with the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station.

His tour of duty only lasted for a few months in Keypoint, receiving orders to assume the first of his command opportunities with the USS Takelma in July 1981. He served as the ship’s Commanding Officer for three years, conducting numerous patrols and operations. The most notable of these operations honored another of the nation’s great fleet, the Battleship USS New Jersey (BB 62), by towing her from Bremerton Naval Shipyard to Long Beach, California for her recommissioning to active service. In the summer of 1983, William and Deana had their second child in Long Beach, a son named after William’s Father, William Lindsay Stewart. William relinquished command of the USS Takelma on September 30th, 1983.

Between the years 1983 and 1991, William filled various billets in the National Capital Region and Norfolk, Virginia. In 1990, William and Deana brought their third and final child into this world, Ashley. In August 1991 William received his second command opportunity with the USS Kittiwake. During this period, he conducted numerous patrols, often supporting recovery operations of various types of submersibles. In July 1993, William relinquished command of the USS Kittiwake and reported for duty with Special Boat Squadron Two in Little Creek, Virginia. Here he filled the billet as the Squadron’s Executive Officer (XO). Never missing an opportunity to command again, William assumed temporary command of a Patrol Craft and completed the Ship’s original mission. This provided the Squadron’s motivated XO a reprieve from the doldrums of the Executive Officer billet and enabled him to feel the solemn pride associated with command yet again. Furthermore, he supported and enabled a tour of the Squadron’s Patrol Craft from the United States to Europe. This seems quite natural and axiomatic for these ships now, yet at that time this idea was just a concept with significant doubt from some within the Surface Warfare Community. Always one to accept a challenge, William conducted this operation, directly influencing and proving the Patrol Craft’s ability to project our nation’s power abroad.

William conducted his final tour of duty in Naples, Italy, with RHQ-AFSOUTH from August 1998 to Aug 2000. This opportunity provided his direct and extended family members the ability to experience all that Europe has to offer. Ultimately in August of 2000, William retired from active duty with the United States Navy and relocated to San Antonio, Texas. Here, he built his home and continued to serve his family and those around him.

William received a great deal of recognition for his faithful and selfless service to his nation throughout 38 years in the United States Navy. His awards and decorations include the following: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (x3), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy “E” Ribbon (x6), Good Conduct Medal (x3), National Defense Service Medal (x2), Vietnam Service Medal (x2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x2), NATO Medal (x2), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (x2), Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (x2), Surface Warfare Designator, ASR Command, DEEPSUBMERG Staff, OOD Fleet, HEO2 DIVBASC, and Enlisted SUBQUAL.

In retirement, William remained active in life. His sense of service never faltered. In the effort to ensure the stability of his family, and the continued education of his children; William continued to work various jobs, at which he excelled. In addition to his work, William followed a new passion for stock market investment. He became so proficient at such work that he eventually retired from the workforce and pursued stock investment as his sole venture to support the family. His selfless efforts supported all three of his children throughout their collegiate endeavors.

William did anything and everything to support his family and friends. Often taking on insurmountable tasks to get them through the toughest of times. His selflessness and heroic endeavors proved that he was the rock and foundation of the family. His only concern stemmed from his ability to provide and protect those he loved, as well as others.

William departed from this earthly world and reported for duty on his eternal patrol with loved ones lost and shipmates gone on February 3rd, 2022. He is preceded in death by his daughter Ashley Michelle Stewart, and his wife Deanna Darleen Stewart. William leaves behind his eldest daughter Jamie Elliott his son Major William Lindsay Stewart (USMC); Son-in-law, Wesley Elliott (USMC); Daughter-in-law, Stephenie Stewart; and Grandchildren Dean Elliott, Madison Elliott, Bailee Stewart, and Paislee Stewart; as well as many close friends too many to mention here.

William lived a truly colorful, exciting, selfless, and honorable life. A wonderful husband, father, and friend. He set the standard in all things and his memory will live with and continue to impact all those who had the pleasure and luck to know him. He will be sorely missed. Fair winds and following seas Sir, rest in peace Dad, we all love you.

A visitation for William will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232. A funeral service will occur Friday, February 18, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 910 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232. A committal service with military honors will occur Friday, February 18, 2022 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetNorthFuneralHome.com for the Stewart family.