William K. Stubbs

On February 15, Bill Stubbs (William K.), 91, having lived a long and happy life went gentle and without regret into that good night.  Bill was grateful for his wife Ruth, whom he leaves behind. Ruth made the autumn of his life glow like springtime.  Bill was well pleased with his three sons who have become loving husbands and fathers, good citizens, and have filled their father with a deep sense of pride and joy. Sons are: Jason K. and wife Jean of Carmel, Indiana; Roger C. and wife Lydia of Grand Rapids; and Aaron P. and wife Louise of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  Grandchildren are the blessing of age and Bill delighted in Tyler and Sarah of Carmel; Christiane, Bianca, Kathleen, and Erica of Grand Rapids; Foster and Betsy of Bloomfield Hills. Bill was grateful to Ruth’s children—Lori, Rob, Charles, and Bobbi Jo—who welcomed him into their hearts and family circles, and their children Asia and Eli, Maja-Lisa (Christofer), Simon, Theo, Rachael (David), Olivia, Leah, Adrianna, and Mitchell.  Bill was preceded in death by Alice Kathryn Foster Stubbs, his wife and best friend for 38 years.  Bill was born in Covington, KY on May 26, 1925. He graduated in 1943 from Holmes High School, enlisted in the US Army Air Force, won his wings as a Navigator, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, and trained as a B-29 crew member. He graduated in 1950, courtesy of the GI Bill of Rights, from the University of Cincinnati with the degree of Electrical Engineer.  Starting as a co-op student, Bill worked for Lear Inc. for 15 years and became Engineering Manager for the Electro-Mechanical Division.  He joined Rapistan as a Vice President and served 20 years as a senior executive in charge of development, engineering operations, sales, and project execution. Bill joined Mannesmann Demag Co. as a Senior Vice President and served six years as corporate planner and as general manager of North American systems operations. This included serving as Chairman and CEO of Barrett Electronics Co.  Bill was grateful and lucky that he was always surrounded by brilliant professional colleagues.  Bill was a member of Fountain Street Church since 1953, a member of Golden K Kiwanis since 1996, and a charter member of CALL (Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning).  Bill saw the complete works of Shakespeare performed on the stages of the Stratford Ontario Festival Theatre.  Please no flowers. Gifts, if any, should go to the Fountain Street Church Foundation.

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