William B. Stewart, Jr.
William B. “Bill” Stewart, Jr., 71, of Washington, died peacefully on Saturday, December 24, 2022, surrounded by his family. He courageously fought an aggressive skin cancer for over two years.
He was born on June 30, 1951, in Washington, a son of the late William B. Stewart, Sr. and Mary Barr Stewart.
Bill was a graduate of McGuffey High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He spent several years as an instrumental music teacher and middle and high school band director.
Saying that he didn’t want to spend every Friday on the football field, he left this profession and entered the car business. His success quickly promoted him to managerial levels. In 1983, he and his family moved back to the 200-year old Stewart family farm, where he managed the dairy farm and the acreage. After retirement there, he indulged in his love of cars by driving for a local auto auction. During his grueling cancer treatments, he treated himself to a red Corvette.
Bill was active in the community and in his church. He was President of the Kiwanis Club when its membership neared 100. He was a longtime elder in the Presbyterian church, and acted as Clerk of Session at Faith United Presbyterian Church for many years. He was a lifelong singer in the choir, and began a bell choir, which he directed. He enjoyed serving on the local Committee on Ministry, and was instrumental in developing the vision for the new church building.
Bill and his wife loved to travel. He took any opportunity to get out of the harsh Pennsylvania winters by traveling to Florida with his family over Christmas, and later traveling many times to the Caribbean. With his wife, he visited many National Parks, Alaska, Hawaii and much of the United States. They enjoyed their trips to the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal and several times to Germany and surrounding European countries, always making friends along the way. They rode Segways whenever possible.
Bill was a wise and witty man and the master of quips. His sense of humor was dry, quick, and always hilarious. He was a lover of hamloaf and gatherings of friends. Bill spent innumerable hours quietly pondering life on the front porch swing.
Many called Bill a hero for the way he handled the struggles of his illness, never complaining. He was logical, rational, kind and faithful, a true man of integrity.
Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Pamela Widdup Stewart; sons, Sean (Nikki), Chris (Erica) and Patrick (Taylor); five grandchildren, Ben, Claire, Harper, Hadyn and Parker Stewart; a sister, Kathy (Terry) DeWitt; a brother, Rick (Roberta) Stewart; and many nieces and nephews.
All services will be held at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 900 East Beau Street, Washington, with visitation from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 p.m., on Thursday, December 29, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held at the church, at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, with The Reverend Dr. Jason Hefner officiating.
Entombment in Washington Cemetery Mausoleum will follow.
Charitable contributions may be made to Faith United Presbyterian Church, or to the Washington City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.