William J. Stiefel, III

Longtime Western Michigan University engineering Professor William (Bill) James Stiefel, III, christened SAKU (Source of All Knowledge in the Universe) by his colleagues, died on June 3rd. Born on the day of the great stock market crash, Bill led a life that was equally unique and interesting.

After a short time in the Air Force, Bill received a B.S. from Drexel University and a graduate degree from Lehigh University. He was one of the 13 original faculty members at Duchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Upon joining the faculty at WMU in 1964, Bill quickly became a highly respected member of the faculty and was well known for his honestly, integrity and high standards. He served on the Faculty Senate and various boards during his WMU career.

Bill also taught in Ibadan, Nigeria; Kabul, Afghanistan and Seoul, South Korea, taking his family along for the ride. Bill loved his time in Afghanistan and returned there for research and humanitarian efforts in 2004.

Bill had a broad range of interests and many eclectic pursuits and friends. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. He was conversant in diverse topics such as opera, classical music, baseball and horse racing. He was a voracious reader, puzzle-solver and bird watcher. He was also a wonderful story teller. Bill had numerous friends and greatly enjoyed his Friday lunch bunch (the ROMEO Club), going to Cubs games, playing poker with his colleagues and spending time each summer at the Jersey shore.

Bill is survived by his wife Lillian Jane; children: Carol Kelly of Nice, France, Brian (Lynne) Kelly of Tucson, AZ, Kathy (Timothy) Farrow of Kalamazoo, and William Stiefel, IV of Birmingham; a brother, Dr. Robert (June) Stiefel; nieces, a nephew and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Elizabeth and William Stiefel II.

“To the all world he was just a man, but to his family he was all the world.” Willie Sr. will be missed.

An Open House will be held Saturday from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Life Story Center at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). Please visit Bill’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900)