William “Bill” James Stewart

William “Bill” James Stewart, 91, of Morganton passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018 in the Valor Hospice at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC.   Born in Gaston County, NC on April 14, 1927, he was the fifth son of the late James S. Stewart and Lilly Barker Stewart of Old Highway 18 South.  The Stewart family moved to Burke County from Gaston County at the end of the great depression.  Bill as a very young man joined his father and brothers in building many homes and churches in Burke County.  He became a skilled carpenter and cabinet builder and was known by many for his speed and skill in residential construction.

W.J. or Bill as he wished to be called was known as a kind and personable man who befriended many people in the area while he lived and worked in Burke County.  When the economy closed in on the housing industry in the early 1980s, he moved to Sevierville, TN, where he owned and operated Memory Lane Antiques.  He still has many lasting friends in that part of Tennessee.   He retired and returned to Burke County in 2004 where he took great pride in growing a huge vegetable garden in his backyard year after year.  It was not a surprise to those who knew him that he gave away most of the bounty from his garden.  He was of the Baptist faith and had a special relationship with God as his savior.  If one was around him, you would know he was a believer in Christ.  He never missed a Sunday nor weekday without seeing and listening intently to the ministries of Jimmy Swaggart and Pastor John Hagee while reclined in his favorite chair. 

Bill is survived by his brother, Henry V. Stewart of Morganton, and by many nieces and nephews from the Stewart and Ramsey families.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene Ramsey Stewart and his brothers, Arthur, Nally, Raleigh, and Robert Wayne Stewart. 

He was a proud veteran of the Korean War era.  He did not deploy overseas, instead he remained in the states and built many projects for the U.S Army.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at Sossoman Funeral Home.  The funeral will be held at 12 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. David Orders officiating.  Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the NC National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.