On October 29, 2009, we lost our beloved Husband, Daddy, Pops, Paw Paw II and cherished friend. He passed away at home as he wanted, surrounded by his loved ones.
Bill was born on December 22, 1926, in old Texla in Mauriceville, Texas to William Acie Stanley, Sr. of Buna, Texas and Fannie Josephine Willey Stanley of Mauriceville, Texas.
At the age of 16, Bill joined the Merchant Marines where he served his country proudly during World War II. He sailed the world and had experiences that he shared with his family for years to come and always longed to go back to sea. He was Honorably Discharged and came home and married MaryAnn Johnson on August 5, 1947. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past August. He worked for American Bridge and was an Iron worker, Truck Driver and Logger.
Bill was an old time hunter and his greatest joy was hearing a pack of deer hounds on a hot trail. He fed seven children of his own and numerous others with what he hunted and a large garden that he and his wife and children raised. His only hobbies other than huntin, was riding a good horse, wood working, and picking and playing with his children, grandchildren and aggravating his wife. And he was good at both. He enjoyed beans cornbread and a hot cup of coffee with old friends and he was blessed with the best friends a man could have.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Levi Stanley; grandson, Bacil Lihugh Boo Boo Risinger III; brother, Jim Stanley; and sisters, Vada Louise Taylor, Willey Lee Dicus Wick and infant sister Joyce Marie Stanley.
He is survived by his wife, MaryAnn; brother, Joe Stanley; sons, William Acie Stanley III Pancho and wife Jewel, Wade Harvey Stanley and wife Brenda; daughters, Joyce Marie Dowdle, Laura Joann Weible and husband Gene, Judy Gail Stanley and Greg Clark, Janie Dorinda Stanley; and special daughter, Joan Morse.
He was a proud grandfather of 27 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Scooter.
Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at his Old Homeplace, 6300 Marshal Willey Road in Mauriceville. Services will also be held there at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009.
With burial to follow at Eaves Cemetery on Gist Road in Gist, Texas.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Joey Arceneaux, Shelby Stanley, Matt Stanley, Chad Dowdle, Laythan Wallace, Andrew Stanley and Jacob Hudson.