Willie M. Stewart, 69

Willie Stewart

Willie Stewart

NAPLES — Willie M. Stewart of Naples, 69, passed away peacefully on Jan. 18, 2015, after a very long illness. He was born in Portland on Nov. 22, 1945, to Richard Allen Stewart and Mattie Oliver Stewart.
Willie graduated from Deering High School in 1964. He is considered one of the best athletes to attend Deering High School. He won many awards in track and football. He is also considered one of the best running backs in Deering High School history. Willie played semi-pro football for the Griffin Club. He was also a professional boxer with a 9-1 record fighting at the Portland Expo. He then went on to attend MCI, graduating in 1965.
Willie worked hard most of his life for his dad at Stewart Paving Co., and his brother Dick at RAS Enterprises. Most recently he retired from Maietta Construction Co. in 2012 after many years of service.
Those of us who knew Willie knew that he was a man of integrity. He was a kind, generous and hardworking man also known for his quick wit. Above all he was a true gentleman. Willie loved life and lived it the way he wanted to. Willie loved his family very much and was blessed with 17 beautiful grandchildren.
He was an avid sports fan. Willie spent many days watching his boys play sports and enjoyed every minute of it. He loved the New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, Nascar and Boxing. He loved to travel with his wife, one of his favorite trips being to Yankee Stadium. Willie had a great love for his dogs and cat, Shadow, Deuce and Forrest.
Willie was predeceased by his dad, Allen, and sister Maxine Bandon. Willie is survived by his mother, Mattie and wife Elaine; children Anthony, Willie, Garrett, Melissa, and Stephen; stepsons, William (Sonny) and Scott Valliere; brothers Robert Stewart, Richard Stewart and Otis Smith; sisters Cookie Tillett, Gloria Jolivet, Janice Brown and Aileen Price; 17 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to visiting hours from 2-4 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral & Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. To share memories and condolences with the family, please go to www.athutchins.com