Obituary for William M. Stewart
William Merriweather Stewart, known as Bill or Billy to family, passed away after going into cardiac arrest on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at the age of 65. In January, Bill was admitted to Toledo Hospital with a severe case of shingles and was soon diagnosed with viral encephalitis. He passed away after a six-week hospital stay and several days in the Advanced Specialty Hospitals.
A Toledo native, Bill was born on December 29, 1955 to Ralph and Rose Stewart as the third of five children. He proudly grew up in North Toledo, “out Stickney” and gained attention playing football for the Woodward Polar Bears. After high school, Bill attended the University of Toledo where he received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. Shortly after graduation, he began a career in TV production at WTOL, where he worked 29 years and won several regional Emmy awards. Bill gave his life to Christ in his early 20s and then met the love of his life, Jera, at a rival TV station. Bill married Jera in 1985 and the two had four children. Anyone who spent time with Bill knew how much pride he had in his family and how deeply he cherished them.
Around Toledo, Bill was known for his cool and collected response in stressful situations and wise counsel. He was also known to enthrall listeners in an exciting story and write beautiful poetry about his wife and children.
At the time of his death, Bill had returned to his love of TV production as a production manager at WGTE. Throughout his life, he has served as an Elder at First Church of God, board member of Toledo Christian Schools, mentor, creator of the Toledo Youth Choir, member of the MLK committee, board member of the Toledo Botanical Garden, and in so many other ways.
Bill is preceded in death by his father Ralph Stewart and mother, Rose Stewart. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Jera, four children, Christian, Jerica, Cameron (Mary), and Brianna, siblings Ralph Stewart (Linda), Sharon Newsom (Donald), Sandra Newsom (Louis), and Sheila Crumbly, many nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts and beloved extended family.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 20 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Refreshing Place where visitors are welcome to pay respects to the family. A memorial service will follow the visitation. Please be aware, due to COVID, the family wants to be mindful of the number of attendees for the service and requests the memorial service be reserved for family and close friends. The memorial service will also be live streamed on House of Day Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
The Refreshing Place
2500 Nebraska Ave, Toledo, OH 43607
Toledo, Oh 43607
A Toledo native, Bill was born on December 29, 1955 to Ralph and Rose Stewart as the third of five children. He proudly grew up in North Toledo, “out Stickney” and gained attention playing football for the Woodward Polar Bears. After high school, Bill attended the University of Toledo where he received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. Shortly after graduation, he began a career in TV production at WTOL, where he worked 29 years and won several regional Emmy awards. Bill gave his life to Christ in his early 20s and then met the love of his life, Jera, at a rival TV station. Bill married Jera in 1985 and the two had four children. Anyone who spent time with Bill knew how much pride he had in his family and how deeply he cherished them.
Around Toledo, Bill was known for his cool and collected response in stressful situations and wise counsel. He was also known to enthrall listeners in an exciting story and write beautiful poetry about his wife and children.
At the time of his death, Bill had returned to his love of TV production as a production manager at WGTE. Throughout his life, he has served as an Elder at First Church of God, board member of Toledo Christian Schools, mentor, creator of the Toledo Youth Choir, member of the MLK committee, board member of the Toledo Botanical Garden, and in so many other ways.
Bill is preceded in death by his father Ralph Stewart and mother, Rose Stewart. He leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Jera, four children, Christian, Jerica, Cameron (Mary), and Brianna, siblings Ralph Stewart (Linda), Sharon Newsom (Donald), Sandra Newsom (Louis), and Sheila Crumbly, many nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts and beloved extended family.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 20 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Refreshing Place where visitors are welcome to pay respects to the family. A memorial service will follow the visitation. Please be aware, due to COVID, the family wants to be mindful of the number of attendees for the service and requests the memorial service be reserved for family and close friends. The memorial service will also be live streamed on House of Day Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
The Refreshing Place
2500 Nebraska Ave, Toledo, OH 43607
Toledo, Oh 43607