MACHIAS – William S. Stacey, 86, passed away July 26, 2010, at his home. He was born March 4, 1924, in Aldbourne, Wilts, England, to the Rev. Frederick Stacey and Sarah Hawkins Stacey. Bill graduated from Pembroke High School in 1942, and the University of Maine in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He joined the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 as a photographer specialist, re-enlisted from 1947 to 1952, and served in World War II and the Korean War. He married Irene Drotar in November 1953. Bill worked as a social worker for the Maine Department of Health and Welfare, then as an inspector for the U.S. Customs Service, retiring in 1987. While raising his family, Bill was also an artist, and produced many beautiful watercolor paintings. He enjoyed spending time at the family camp, boating, camping and fishing, and taking the family on a special vacation every summer. He was a lifelong student of philosophy and didn’t mind sharing his views on the subject. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Irene; a sister, Ada Rosalind; and brothers, Frederick and Victor. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Elizabeth of Seattle and Ed and Holly of Independence, Ohio; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Eric Dow of Brooklin and Linda and Frank Spinelli of Strongsville, Ohio. He is also survived by 10 much loved grandchildren, Dylan, Nigel, Art and Emma of Seattle, Bryan of Independence, Ohio, Frankie and Andrea of Strongsville, Ohio, and Shawney, Jesse and Ariel of Brooklin; along with several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his good friends at the corner booth at McDonald’s, where they met for morning coffee. In keeping with his request, there will be no funeral or visiting hours. Interment will be in the family lot in Calais. A service of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias. Condolences may be sent at www.bragdonkelley.com.
WILLIAM S. STACEY
