Stewart

William Cooper Stewart was born to William and Rita Stewart Sept. 2, 1922, in Parker, a small town in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania. He died Thursday in Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard, who was not only a brother but a dear and life-long friend.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 62 years, Ellie, who was his faithful companion and trusted soulmate. He also leaves four loving daughters and their husbands and companions, Susan (Gregg Bryant), Cindy (Jeff Klum), Sarah (Jim Liddy) and Nancy (Dave Anderson); and six grandchildren, Matthew, Andy, Tim, Rob, Adrienne and Scott.

Bill left Parker for his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan, then entered medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. After receiving his medical degree in 1943, he served in the Army as a flight surgeon.

He returned to Ann Arbor for his pediatric training and was chief resident at the University of Michigan Medical Center during the years 1950-52. After practicing general pediatrics in Kalamazoo, Mich., for 20 years, he and Ellie and their two youngest daughters moved to Madison, Wis., where Bill completed a fellowship in neonatology and was among the first group of physicians board certified in neonatology. He started the neonatal unit at Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo, which he named the Special Care Nursery, a title that reflected what he felt about his young patients and their families — that they were beloved and truly special.

In 1978, Bill and Ellie moved to Wilmington, N.C., where Bill started his second neonatal unit and continued to provide care for the smallest and most vulnerable infants.

The last 10 years of his professional career, Bill focused on another of his professional interests, developmental pediatrics. His Wilmington-based practice was dedicated to the care of children with attention deficit disorder and other neurobehavioral challenges. Ellie, a speech pathologist, joined him professionally during this phase of his career, providing speech, behavioral and school consultation services to complement the medical care provided by Bill.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fall partridge hunting in the northern Michigan woods, fishing, sailing, camping and downhill skiing. However, his life-long passion was golf. He was a member of the University of Michigan Golf Team during his undergraduate years and followed that elusive white ball around many, many courses. He shot an 87 last summer, respectable for an 85-year-old, and that is no fish story.

Bill lived a life of service. He gave nothing but the best medical care to his young patients. He served God in many ways, as a Stephen Ministry leader, Sunday school teacher and member of Kiwanis. He lived to make the world a better place, and his values and appreciations will live on in those who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

<B>STEWART </B>— In keeping with the wishes of William Cooper Stewart, who died Thursday, May 15, 2008, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bill's life will be held later this summer.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Starr Commonwealth, 13725 Starr Commonwealth Road, Albion, MI 49224.Arrangements were handled by <B>Reyers North valley Chapel</B>, Grand Rapids, Mich. To leave a fond memory of Bill, please go online to www.mem.com.