William L. Stamey, age 97, died on Sunday January 1, 2020 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House, Manhattan, Kansas.
He was born on October 19, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois the son of Kendrick C. and Ingar M. (delaGardie) Stamey. Bill proudly served his country during WWII in the Army Air Corp. Following his service, he completed his undergraduate education at the Northern Colorado University at Greeley. He earned his PhD in mathematics at the University of Missouri in 1953. He was the dean of Arts and Sciences at KSU, from 1969 until retirement in 1987.
On June 25, 1945, he was united in marriage to Jean Raydelle Wilson in Alexandria, Louisiana following a 90 day courtship and already planning their 75th anniversary this year. They were blessed with 3 children: Bob, Tom and Jan.
Bill was a renaissance man who never stopped learning. Whether attending an opera or a grandson’s ball game, traveling to Africa or the Konza, solving a complex theorem or tutoring a student, analyzing the weather or a social injustice, or listening to new ideas, Bill welcomed and thrived on diversity of thought. He began his career as a math professor. Today, a William L. Stamey teaching award at KSU reflects his passion for the importance of undergraduate teaching. Dean Stamey’s leadership tenure was instrumental in the planning, repurposing, or establishment of KSU’s Nichols Hall, McCain Auditorium, the Beach Museum, the Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research & the Konza Prairie. Among his peers across the nation, KSU was promoted enthusiastically. Beyond his professional life, Bill served 62 years on the KSU Credit Union board. He served on the Manhattan Library board, boy scout troop 75, the Manhattan Rotary club, & various church committees.
Writing poetry & memoirs, reading, listening to music, running, golfing, or gathering with friends were Bill’s personal favorite activities. Above all, he cherished time spent with Rae and their family, the focus of his myriad stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son: Tom in 1995; infant grandson Jonathan Elliott in 1988; 1 brother and 4 sisters.
Survivors include his wife: Rae of the home; a son: Bob Stamey and his wife Mary of Manhattan; a daughter: Jan Elliott and her husband Bill of Manhattan; 5 grandsons and 8 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday January 6, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church 612 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas. Private burial will be in the Sunrise Cemetery, Manhattan, Kansas.
Visitation will be from noon until service time on Monday in the connecting link at the First United Methodist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the William Stamey Memorial Fund (to be established later for local charities) in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.