William Eugene Stewart

William Eugene Stewart was catapulted into the heavens on December 6, 2025, while resting comfortably on his "brown cloud", surrounded by his son, his favorite daughter-in-law, and his brother, Bruce. Bill was born in Kewanee, IL, on November 18, 1934, the eldest of seven children. He grew up in Fairview Homes, attended St. Stanislaus Grade School, and was a Top 10 Academic graduate of the Kewanee High School Class of 1952, where he was a proud member of the 1951 Hall of Fame Football Team.

Bill completed three semesters in college before having to drop out of the University of Illinois, due to a lack of finances. He then joined the United States Navy with his cousin, Ron Kempin. Bill was the top graduate of his Navy flight school class and was a very gifted Naval Aviator. He was a Night Fighter Jet Interceptor Tactics Instructor at Naval Air Station Key West, FL, before transferring to 'The Be-Devilers' of Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74); where he flew the U.S. Navy's first supersonic fighter, the F-4D Skyray. He completed an eight month North Atlantic/Mediterranean Cruise on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42), where he accumulated over 125 carrier arrested landings (catching the arresting wire on every single landing attempt - which is very rare). Out of the 18 fighter pilots in his squadron, he was one of eight who were allowed to fly from the carrier at night. In 1958, Bill was selected to perform in a night carrier operational exercise for President Eisenhower. After completing his active-duty commitment, Bill returned to the U of I, and by using his G.I. Bill, graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics. During his time at the U of I, Bill continued serving his country in the Naval Reserves, flying the F9F Panther out of NAS Glenview, IL.

In 1960 Bill moved to Washington, D.C., where he received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law School. During his second year of law school, Bill switched to night school, enabling him to work as a patent examiner at the United States Patent Office in the Mechanical Secrecy Division. He handled classified patent applications relating to military weapons systems, and the NASA Space Program (specifically, reentry systems for space vehicles). At the completion of law school, Bill worked for three years at Covington & Burling, Washington, D.C.'s largest and most prestigious law firm. He participated in major international anti-trust litigation before the Federal Trade Commission. Bill moved back to Kewanee in 1965, setting up his private law practice, where he advised clients for over 55 years. He served as a public defender and prosecutor, as well as giving legal counsel to several local municipalities. Bill also provided pro bono legal service to several charities and non-profits in the local area, and taught Business Law at Black Hawk East for 10 years.

Bill was a member of the Kewanee Rotary Club for over 60 years, where he was a Director, Past President and a Paul Harris Fellow. He served in several leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, to include Executive Board Member of the Prairie Council, District Chairman, and a Webelos Leader. For Bill's leadership in scouting, he was awarded the Silver Beaver. Additionally, he spent many years as a Board Member on the Kewanee Schools Foundation; where along with Dr. Chuck Warthen, he was instrumental in raising several million dollars for the students at Kewanee Schools. He also served on the KHS Hall of Fame Committee.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Marjabelle; his parents, Ralph and Elizabeth (Moraski) Stewart; his brothers, Bob and Ben; and his sister, Betty Lou. Bill is survived by his son, Commander William C. Stewart, USN (Ret.) and his favorite daughter-in-law, Sherri; his grandsons, Cole and Drew Stewart; his brothers, Bernie, Bruce and Bryan; several nieces and nephews; and two lifelong dear friends and classmates, Ron Kempin and Bobby Beauprez. Bill, Ron, and Bobby were born just a few days apart from each other in Kewanee Hospital. They considered themselves 'brothers from different mothers'.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing, frogging, and hunting--especially waterfowl and upland game. He was a lifelong runner and could often be seen running with one of his beloved Labrador Retrievers: Aquarius, Pudge, Magnum or Cherry. Bill won his age group multiple times in the Run Your Ice Off 5K and the Hog Day Stampede. Additionally, he was very proud of his Polish heritage and enjoyed visiting his extended family in Poland.

Bill was extremely proud of his service to his country and that his son became a second-generation Naval Aviator. Bill often lamented that if he could relive one thing in his life, it would be to fly jets off the deck of an aircraft carrier - FLY NAVY! He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the American Legion.

Over the course of his legal career, Bill helped many navigate uncertain and difficult times in their lives; but like everyone else, he was not immune to difficult times himself. He was eternally grateful to the following four people, "...who helped me when I really needed help." Ed Peterson, Rusty Jensen, Bob Eastman and Harry Harper.

The family is very thankful to Dr. Greg Nowakowski and the hematology department at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for their expert care in treating Bill's Mantle cell lymphoma for 13 years; to Betty's Garden, for their exceptional, compassionate care during a very difficult time; and Judy Ratliff for being there when we could not.   

Memorials may be made in Bill's name to Kewanee Veterans Council, Kewanee Food Pantry, or Henry County Humane Society.

There will be a private family service at a later date.

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