William Stearns

Born April 10th, 1930 to Carrie (Best) Stearns & Harold Stearns. Passed away April 19th, 2021 at the age of 91.

William was born in Claremont, New Hampshire, but grew up in Windsor, Vermont where he graduated from Windsor High School in 1948. He then enlisted in the US Air Force as part of the 61st Troop Carrier Squadron in Japan as well as Korea as an electrician for the C119 cargo airplane (AKA the flying box car) during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

After his time in the US Air Force, William started working at Cone Automatic Machine Company in Windsor, Vermont. It was there that he learned his trade as a wood pattern maker.

William married Doris Broughton on October 31st, 1953. Together they bought an 80 acre farm and started a family. Six years later they moved to Westminster, Colorado where they have lived in the same house for 61 years.

William worked various jobs until he want to work for the Great Western Sugar Company where he made patterns for the machines that make sugar. William retired from his work in 1973. William was secretary for the Pattern Makers Union for many years. He also belonged to the West Windsor Historical Society in West Windsor, Vermont as well as the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

William and his wife bought property in Boulder, Wyoming where he was Secretary Treasurer and Business Manager for several years. William hunted, fished and hiked many miles in the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. He also hunted and fished in Colorado, bringing home several deer, elk, antelope, moose, bear and lots of fish. William also enjoyed traveling, history and photography.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, his daughter, Nancy, his daughter-in-law, Shirley Stearns; grandsons, Christopher (Allison), Ian (Cindy), and Zachary (Whitney); granddaughters, Melissa (John) and Madison; 9 great-grandchildren, Titus, Eden, Silas, Ophelia, Arya, Valeria, Alexander, Lilly and Abigail; sister, Carolyn (Leroy), and brother, Warren (Rosie), along with several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Neil and Russell.

A Celebration of Life will be held  Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 12:30 PM in the Afternoon, The MAC Recreation Center, 3295 West 72nd Avenue, Westminster, Colorado 80030