William Cecil Stafford

William Cecil Stafford passed away Monday morning, December 26, 2016 at his home in Southport, Indiana. He died just a few days short of his 89th birthday at the age of 88. Family called him Cecil or C, and friends called him Bill.Born December 30, 1927, Bill was the fourth of seven children birthed to Willie Stafford and Hannah Peavy of Casey County, Kentucky. Of his siblings: Earl, Edith, George, Osbourne, Jasper, and Alma, Bill has survived all but two. Jasper resides in North Carolina and Alma in Kentucky.Bill was born into the depression era and came of age just in time to serve as a sailor in the United States Navy during World War II. At the age of twenty he and his young bride, Louise Atwood, moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where he was employed by Eaton Manufacturing. In 1956 he invented an apparatus and process for applying hard-facing material for jet engines. Though he was mostly self-taught, Bill had a thirst for knowledge and curiosity that knew no bounds. He was one-at-a-time and all at once an inventor, tinker, welder, farmer, carpenter, poet and dreamer. He was a quiet, peaceful man with deep moral convictions, but who would not shy away from a fight for justice and equity. He was loving, generous, and kind. His dry wit would often catch us unaware and leave us laughing and intrigued by his endearing sense of humor — humbled to be in his presence.In June of 2017, Bill and Louise would have been married 70 years. He is survived by seven children: Ed (TX), Deb (OR), Charmaine (IN), Bill (TX), Steve (TX), Michael (IN), and David (IN). Bill is grandfather to nine grandchildren: Eddie, Eli, Erin, Elissa, Matthew, Jake, John, Paul, and Jennifer. He also has four great-grandchildren.Bill loved to travel more than anything. He was filled with the wanderlust but never left his family. In later years he and Louise would load up the car or truck, and with family dog Maxx as their faithful navigator, tour the country for places unknown. Today Bill begins a new journey full of wonder. He will be missed.A memorial gathering will be held at the Wilson St. Pierre funeral home Stirling-Gerber location at 5950 East Thompson Road, Indianapolis, Indiana on December 30th, 2016 from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M.