William Devine Stewart

William Devine "Bill" Stewart of West Seattle passed away into the arms of the Lord on Sunday, January 22nd.  He was surrounded by family, friends and caregivers.  The son of Charles Stewart and Rose Ann Gardner.  Bill was born in Cambuslang, Scotland, on October 30, 1921.  At 6, he immigrated through Ellis Island, settling in Buck Run, PA,along with his sisters Elizabeth and Janet, and brother Robert.  He left the small coal mining town in 1942 to join the WWII war effort.  He was stationed at Attu Island in the Aleutians as part of the Air Offensive Asiatic Pacific Campaign serving as a mechanic and airplane armorer and was awarded the Bronze Star.

He met his beloved wife, Connie, while recuperating at Fort Lawton, thanks to a chance case of the mumps.  He proposed to her via letter and they married shortly after the war, August 3, 1946.  Family was everything to them and they went on to raise three children (Bill, Connie, and Leslie) in West Seattle.  Later he would serve again as a civilian contractor flying troops and supplies during the Vietnam War as part of the Military Airlift Command (MAC).  He completed his duty at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Bill also served his community. He was a parishioner at Holy Rosary in West Seattle for over 65 years and a member of the Knight's of Columbus. He was very active as a Boy Scout Leader, supported the Millionaires Club and a number of Veteran Associations.

Bill enjoyed his job, flying for United Airlines for over 40 years as an onboard mechanic, celestial navigator and later as a pilot.  He piloted the fist non-stop from the west coast to New York and retired flying 747's to Hawaii.  Traveling was a huge part of his life and he delighted in taking his family to the places he enjoyed and visited.  They will never forget  seeing Hawaii, Alaska, the Far East and Europe through his eyes.  He also enjoyed sports, having played baseball, football, and basketball in school.  He loved tennis and golf and enjoyed sponsoring the annual Stewart family golf tournament.  Bill loved music of all types, but in particular the Scottish songs from his heritage.  He and Connie also loved to dance and were members of the Doe C Doe square dance group.  When he had spare time he enjoyed fishing at Westport, playing cards with friends, and being at home with his family.

Bill is survived by his son, Bill (Chris), daughter Connie (Lee), and daughter Leslie (Joe); grandchildren Analisa (Shane) Morgan (Angela), Andrea, Alexis (Mark), Cameron (Ashley), Meagan (Ryan) and Jason; and eight great-grandchildren.  He was recently preceded in death by his wife, Connie, after more than 70 years of marriage.

Services, including 10:00  viewing, 10:30 rosary, and 11:00  funeral mass, will be held on Saturday, February 4 at Holy Rosary in West Seattle.  Interment at Calvary Cemetery will follow immediately.  Flowers can be sent to Holy Rosary.  Gifts in Bill's memory should be Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center or Veterans of Foreign Wars.