Louis Wade Stanley, Jr

Louis Wade Stanley, Jr, 78, of Burgaw passed away unexpectedly on December 27, 2022, after a series of health issues. He was born on November 25, 1944, in Wilmington to the late Louis and Mabel Stanley.

Louis was a 1963 graduate of New Hanover High School and a member of ROTC. On November 12, 1966, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Maria. They were married over 56 years. He was a loving husband and father. Louis was a volunteer firefighter at Seagate Fire Department, a Boy Scout Master for many years and a Crane Operator in the Army Reserve. He worked at GE Nuclear Energy in Wilmington for 40 years as a Certified Tool and Die Maker. Louis served on the Parish Council at St. Mary and St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. He was a fourth degree Knight, an usher, a youth minister and a volunteer with the Polish Festival for 20 years. After retirement, Louis joined Cape Fear Wood Carving and surprised so many with his incredible talent of woodburning, carving, and caricatures. This was very challenging and enjoyable for him. His work will forever be treasured by his family. Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed deer hunting, silhouette, skeet, cowboy and competitive shooting.

In addition to his parents, Louis was preceded in death by two infant children, Louis Wade Stanley, III and Anne Marie Stanley as well as his brothers, Roger and Frederick Stanley. He is survived by his wife, Maria Apostolico Stanley; daughters, Christina Greene of Wilmington and Heidi Carlson and her husband, Billy of Belhaven; three grandchildren, Wesley Greene and his wife, Courtney of Currie, Caleb Greene, and Hunter Elliott both of Wilmington; one great-grandson, Jameson Greene of Currie; sister, JoAnn Buck and her husband, Danny of Rocky Point; sisters-in-law Edith Stanley and Mary Apostolico, brother-in-law John Alfred Apostolico, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM Saturday, January 7, 2023, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Rd., Castle Hayne. A funeral mass, officiated by Father Roger Malonda Nyimi, will follow at 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stanislaus Building Fund in Louis’ honor. A private interment will be held at a later date.