William "Bill" Howard Stewart

Bill was born October 4, 1947 in Phoenix, Arizona to Homer Howard Stewart and Ruth Fuchs Stewart. Survivors include daughters: Shannon St. Clair of Galveston, TX and Kim Lewis (Kenny) of Burleson, TX; grandchildren: Andi St. Clair, Kaden Lewis, Trevor Bedwell and Connor Bedwell; and sibling: Virginia Stewart of Warrensburg, MO.

During Bill's childhood he moved many times from Arizona, Massachusetts, California, Oklahoma, Missouri to Sherman, Texas where he graduated high school in 1965. Bill always had a love of sports, playing basketball, tennis, baseball, softball and football in his youth, during college and early adulthood. He served 4 years in the U.S. military and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration. Post graduation he moved his family to Galveston to work at UTMB. He became a healthcare insurance expert throughout his career, leading and managing teams at various hospitals. In 1986, he transitioned his career to Scott and White Hospital in Temple, TX which then led to an independent consultant role for several years helping many different hospitals in the US with his expertise. In 2001, he joined North Kansas City hospital until his retirement several years later.

Bill loved being outdoors. While in Galveston, he loved fishing, harvesting oysters in the bay and fly fishing in Colorado. Hunting deer, pheasants and quail were a common hobby throughout his life. He loved his dogs, labrador retrievers especially, and raised cows while farming in Temple, TX. After retirement, he enjoyed being a hunting guide and teaching others about a sport he loved. Also, he became involved with the church youth group which he always looked forward to the annual trip each summer to Colorado where he continued to teach the youth about all things outdoor.

He married his first wife, Dorothy, in 1968 and they became parents to two daughters, Shannon and Kim. He was a manly man so having two daughters really softened his hard exterior. He was active in their childhood, coaching their softball team, teaching them to fish, hunt and change a tire. His love for his daughters was his greatest gift, he would do anything for them and wanted only the best for them. He loved his 4 grandchildren, teaching them all the things he learned in life. I guess you could say Bill was a teacher of life in so many ways to be treasured and passed on by those fortunate enough to have been in his path.

He met and married Janice while working at UTMB in Galveston. She was the love of his life and they created an enduring love lasting 38 years this January 8th. Together they experienced many of life's milestones that deepened and strengthened their bond. The mountains were a favorite vacation getaway of theirs, you could find them at Estes Park or Vermont during the fall. Together, they each battled cancer and, in the end, Bill was Janice's full-time caregiver until her passing December 8, 2023.

Bill transitioned home to the Lord on December 28, 2023, from what his daughters declare of a broken heart. The legacy of love and life Bill built is everlasting and his daughters will forever carry him in their hearts.

If you would like to make a donation in Bill’s memory, contributions are suggested to The American Cancer Society.