William M. Stearly
Born on December 31, 1933 in Pottstown, PennsylvaniaDeparted January 9, 2023 in Palm Bay, Florida
William (Bill) Stearly was born in Pottstown Pennsylvania, where he spent the years of his youth and teen years. After high school, he felt the sense of duty to serve his country and joined the US Navy and served for 20 years as an Electronic Technician, reaching the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer (E9). In 1973 Bill retired, completing an honorable and successful career serving his country. In 1956, Bill married the love of his life, Lois Weis, a pretty farm girl from Clear Lake, Minnesota. Their love continued throughout their 66 years of marriage. Throughout their 66 years together William and Lois saw lots of country and lived in 25 homes in their first 25 years of marriage (lots of military moves).
After military retirement, Bill and the family moved to Anoka Minnesota, where he was inaugural in starting the first Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program in the state of Minnesota at Blaine Senior High School. In 1980 Bill decided he had endured enough Minnesota winters and relocated Lois and himself to Palm Bay Florida, which they have called home for the past 43 years. After a few years in Florida, Bill decided he was not ready to be retired and started another 20 year career working with Callagy Tire providing customer service and making a lot of connections with the community.
Bill was a very active member in every community he was part of, including Palm Bay. He was very involved with Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church as a lector, the Knights of Columbus (4th Degree Knight) where he served as Grand Knight, and District Deputy.
Family was very important to Bill, which included being part of his four kids’ life and activities as they grew up including scouts, Little League and other community organizations. Bill had a passion for traveling and seeing the country he loved, which probably became part of his DNA after spending 20 years in the Navy. Bill shared this passion with his family and was always planning a family trip or adventure and was the family cruise director, cruising was a favorite adventure of his. He loved sailing the oceans of the world.
Bill was more than a husband, dad, grandpa, father-in-law, uncle and friend. He was an iconic figure, a leader and mentor, and a hero to all who had the pleasure and honor to have him as a part of their life. Bill was a very loved and respected man by all who knew him, and he will be missed by all.
Bill is survived by his wife Lois, Palm Bay, Florida. Son Douglas (Therene) Stearly, Barnes, Wisconsin. Son Kevin Stearly, Vero Beach, Florida. Daughter Catherine Barcia, Palm Bay, Florida. Son Michael (Tina) Stearly, Bemidji, Minnesota. Brother John Richard Stearly, Melbourne, Florida grandchildren Cori (Nate), Johnson, Krista ( Jason) Plouff, Joseph Stearly, Desiree Lane, Peyton Stearly, Issac ( Janelle) Lane.
He was preceded in death by mother Bessie Stearly, father John Stearly, granddaughter Elizabeth Stearly, brothers Gerald Stearly, John & George Dagler and sister Gladys Dagler.
His funeral will be Friday January 13, 2023 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church 5330 Babcock St NE Palm Bay Fl. 32905. There will be a viewing from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, funeral services at 11:00am followed by a burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 1422 Miller St. Palm Bay, FL 32905.
The family is asking in lieu of flowers to donate American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
