A Mass of Christian Burial for 95-year old William “Bill Steward will be held Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 at 10:00 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron, NE, with Father Arul officiating.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Chadron.
A rosary will be held on Monday, June 19th, at 7:00.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com.
William E “Bill” Stewart was born on July 16, 1927 to Lyle Jacob and Lorene M (Smith) Stewart at Mountain View, MO. He passed away on June 11th, 2023 at Hemingford Care Center in Hemingford, NE.
Bill spent his first 3 years at the family farm at Mountain View, then the family moved back to the Charleston, NE, area. He spent his younger years in McCool Junction, NE, and graduated from McCool Junction High School in 1944.
Bill enlisted in the U-S Navy in March of 1945 and was discharged in July of 1946. He was attached to the 90th Construction Battalion (Seebees) and was stationed at the Marine Air Base at Obama, Japan, for several months.
On June 1st, 1948, Bill married the love of his life, Barbara A Montague, at St Bridget’s Catholic Church in Hemingford. The couple lived for a short while in Alliance before moving to Chadron. In Chadron, Bill and Barbara raised eight children: William, John, Steve, Mary, Bernadette, Anthony, Bridget and Alesia. Chadron was Bill’s home for over 65 years.
Bill had several jobs throughout his life. He first started working as a young boy for the local farmers around McCool with duties from milking cows to driving a tractor pulling a binder.
Bill liked operating equipment and when he was old enough, he went to work for the HW Johnson Construction Co, where he operated heavy equipment on road construction jobs. This experience helped him get assigned to the Navy’s Construction Battalion. better known as the “Seebees”.
After he got married, he worked for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in Alliance in the Storehouse at a time the railroad still used steam engines.
In the spring of 1949, Bill moved his family to Chadron where he went to work for Milton Grantham in the Kenwood Greenhouses. He liked raising plants, so in 1952 he bought the Log Cabin Greenhouses from Chet Irish.
In addition to raising and selling vegetable and bedding plants Bill also raised carnations and mums which he sold to the local florist shop. Eventually Bill started his own florist shop, but sold the business in 1963 to Bill Wiles.
In the early greenhouse years, Bill also worked for Consumers Public Power Company as the night shift generator operator and in 1954, while he still had the greenhouses, he went to work for the Nebraska Highway Department.
He stayed with the department for nearly 40 years, working his way up the ladder to Maintenance Foreman, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, and finally Highway Superintendent at the Chadron Maintenance Office. He retired in 1993 after 39 years.
Bill enjoyed sports and was an avid Husker fan. He also enjoyed gardening and always planted a big garden and lots of flowers around the house. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Chadron for many years.
Bill was a devout catholic and a member of St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron for over 65 years. Bill never wavered in his faith and trust in his savior Jesus Christ.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, his loving wife Barbara, son Stephen, and daughter Alesia.
He is survived by son Billy and wife Linda of Bigfork, MT; son John and wife Jolie of Chadron; daughter Mary Schnell and partner Steve Wolters of Blackhawk, SD; daughter Bernadette Marquardt and husband Steve of Cedaredge, CO; son Tony of Great Falls, MT; daughter Bridget Burkhart and husband Tony of Scottsbluff, NE; 20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Bill Stewart.
Awfully sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Mr. Stewart always took extreme pride in the American Legion Post #12 Color Guard who honored our Country at every single home Football game at Elliott Field. His professionalism and loyalty were unmatched in presenting the American Flag before the National Anthem. It was with great pride and pleasure to have the entire team out before every game to watch Bill’s Color Guard do it right!
Thank you for your service Mr. Stewart and no doubt you’re in God’s presence now.
Bill Stewart was a great friend, mentor, and boss. I learned more from Bill than anyone else in my life. He was an outstanding father, husband, and patriot. He loved his wife, children, friends, country, church, and beer! He had a huge influence on me and my career. I was lucky enough to replace him at NDOR when he retired but somehow never filled shoes. Rest in peace my friend and say hi to Barb for me.