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William Cooter Stewart

1953 - 2018

William Cooter Stewart obituary, 1953-2018, Durango, CO

BORN

1953

DIED

2018

William Stewart Obituary

July 14, 1953 - November 3, 2018

Well buckaroos and buckarettes, my time here in this body has bagged its last rodeo, sunrise, sunset, mountain peak, ocean break, spring, summer, fall and has settled in on winter.

I have set sail on the great mystery and journey that I have pondered on for quite some time. I was privileged to have had a wonderful and creative life, full of boundless pleasure and deep sorrow. I was the father to two beautiful children, Wilton Todd Stewart and Elizabeth Doane Stewart. Both independent and strong. I was privileged to be married to their mother, Kimberly Doane Stewart who passed in 1994. From there, by divine intervention, I met and married Pamela Beckedorf Stewart, with whom I shared more adventures then I could have ever imagined.

Oh, the joys I have had in this life. Great family, friends, peaks, powder, bikes, dogs of distinction, dancing, bands and a career in following my heart. I learned early on to flow with the river and avoid fighting the current. Love, as it turns out, is all you need. I was a lucky boy!

No need to belabor on much more because I will be back before you know it, to start all over again. Look for that person with a guitar, a grin, a soulful voice and a dream.

I would like to close with this beautifully crafted verse and chorus from a song named, "The Cape".

Old and grey with a floursack cape

Tied all around his head

He's still jumpin' off the garage

Will be till he's dead

All these years the people said

He's actin' like a kid

He did not know he could not fly

So he did

He's one of those who knows that life

Is just a leap of faith

Spread your arms and hold your breath

Always trust your cape

Songwriters: Guy Clark / Jim Janosky / Susanna Wallis Clark

Published by The Durango Herald on Nov. 5, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Stewart

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I am humbled and grateful to have met Bill at Fable (Food and Beverage Leadership Exchange) and considered him a friend. In his company, I always lived life just that much better and laughed that much louder. Bill was a modern day troubadour, a class act and a wonderful human being. Professionally, he carved tracks in the Organic Food industry that were bested only by his mountain ski runs on bluebird days on sunny peaks. He saw "it" happening before anyone knew what "it" was. My last conversation with Bill was predictably positive in what only he knew was probably our last conversation on this earth. He was excited to take a train trip to Cali to see loved ones and reminded me the wine he was drinking was just a bit better these days. One of the first people I will seek out at the east gate is Bill Stewart. Until then Bill, you are missed!

Ed OROURKE

March 6, 2019

My deepest condolences to the Stewart Family. I am in shock by the news of Bill's passing - an old colleague I first met in late 80's in San Francisco.

Bill was in sales for the Foodservice division and I happended to provdie financail support for that area. Bill was never in a hurry, he took interest in people in spite of his busy traveling schedule with long commute via public transportation (he and his young family lived in Sebastopol then.) Bill often stopped by to chat.

The picture of him in the New Hope website was the Bill I remembed - always preppy carrying a very expensive Hartmann briefcase given to him by his father; Bill was upbeat and full of life. He realized we worked in the backoffice were often overlooked, so even through my work had very little to do with his sales/bonus. Yet, he made the time.

I remember:

(1) One day Bill showed up with bloody scratch marks on his face! He was playing rough with his son- Wil, and showed me Wil's picture. Wil probably was no older than 8 then.
(2) Bill told me that he got to know a homeless young man who routinely sat on the bench right outside Hyatt Regency by the Cable Car stop. Back then, there were very few homeless people- especailly inthe SF Financial District. For years, everytime I passed that bench, I thought about Bill and his kindness. The bench is still there today.
(3) Bill loved his young family. One year, he told me he posted all the bullet issues in his house to teach his children about the coming election.
(4) I had met Bill's brother Todd - a bigger than life's personality and knew Bill stopped Todd's house to help him cleaning his roof.
(5) Yes, Bill was a total health nut. His boss told me one day that Bill was on a no fat diet and dropped his body fat content to some rediculous %. Indeed, Bill was into health living before we even knew its meaning.

We did not stay in contact after Bill moved out of California, but after all these years I remembered him fondly and am very saddened by his passing. He really was a gentle soul. Bill left us too soon. In our very brief encounter, he left a mark and I belive he did that to all the people he had met, and for that I will be forever grateful to have known this very decent and kind man.

With gatitude.

Ellen Chang

January 18, 2019

We are so sorry to hear of the death of Bill Stewart. We send love and hugs to Will and Elizabeth, and the rest of the Doane Stewart family. Marnie Paulus

Marnie Paulus

November 20, 2018

Bill wore his cape well and always was willing to share! I'm more than grateful to have known him and I'll honor his teachings with me in this life. Thank you Bill! Huge hug, Tara

Tara Burkley

November 14, 2018

To say goodbye to a fun loving, adventurous person like Bill can be most difficult...sometimes unbearable. May God give you a helping hand as you adjust to life without him.

November 13, 2018

I have never met Bill or Pam, however mutual friends John and Sharon Beaupre have spoken highly about you both, and suggested that my wife Sharon and I should try to hook-up somehow.We have lived in Durango for 47 years, and own the Ore House Restaurant.Sadly, that connection never happened.Our sincerest condolences go out to you for your loss.

Most Sincerely,

Bill (Beatle) Abshagen

November 9, 2018

To Pam and Fam, it is with deep sadness that I send my condolences to all of you. Life is short and Bill lived it to the fullest. I am so sorry for your loss, it is unimaginable and we all feel your sorrow for miles and miles remembering all the smiles and joy that Bill brought with him wherever he be. I promise that we will all ski a run for him, play a cowboy song in his honor and keep him in our hearts as we continue to fill our lives together. Bill reminds me that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Though you don't know me, Bill travelled through my world at Mount Hood for a short time albeit some of the most important times in our lives, when we were in our 20's and searching for powder, the blues and adventures we had no idea we needed. RIP Bill, thanks for the ride....I can see you driving that land cruiser and skiing the triple skis with Mouse and Mingo and whoever else you could talk into going down 1 bowl. Love to Pam and your family, so lucky you got to share and enhance life with Bill. He lives in our hearts and damnit, he gets to hang with Monte and Oz....the wild adventure continues. So many hearts go with him and you... With love, sadness and condolences.

Karyn Kaplan

November 8, 2018

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Paul Koch

November 7, 2018

Farewell my friend. You will be dearly missed. But when sorrow visits I will wrap myself in "the cape" of our funny, adventurous memories together from "back in the day." And as Jimi famously said, "Meet me on the next world, but don't be late." Well, I plan on being late, sir. But I'll be glad to meet all your new friends, and some of our mutual old ones. Until we meet again ..........

Brian Strayer

November 7, 2018

Brian Strayer

November 7, 2018

Please accept my deep expressions of sympathy. May the loving memories you've shared continue to warm your heart. Psalms 116:15

November 7, 2018

The loss of William is painful and it will be hard at times trying to express to others how you really feel. Those who love you understand and will be by you to help you through this most difficult time. (Proverbs 17:17)

Christine

November 7, 2018

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