William Michael Stewart Sr.

Heaven just got a little more kinder, gentler, colorful, and artistic - with a bit more purpose - now that
William (Bill) Michael Stewart, Sr. has arrived.

At 96 years old, he passed away peacefully at Cabrini of Westchester Nursing Home in Dobbs
Ferry, NY on Saturday, April 4 th , 2026. He entered this world in Manhattan, NYC on Sunday,
May 26 th , 1929, just five months before the “Great Depression”.
 

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Julia (nee Lawrence) in 2003.
 

From 1949 to 1951, he served in the New York State Army National Guard. He enlisted for
active duty in 1951 in the U.S. Air Force assigned to military police for four years serving in the
United States, and with the occupation forces in Germany.
 

He entered the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1955 and served for twenty years
as a detective, earning thirteen awards, including the NYPD Honor Legion Medal for Heroism.
After retiring from the NYPD, he had his own private investigation business as well.
 

In 1966, he enlisted in the US Air Force reserve assigned to the Office of Special Investigations,
retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of military service, and earned 16
medals and awards.
 

He was also awarded a “Certificate of Recognition” from Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld for military service during the Cold War and the “Conspicuous Military Service
Cross” from New York Governor George Pataki in recognition of his federal military service.
 

As an evening part-time college student, he earned an AAS degree from CUNY in 1962, a BS
degree from John Jay College in 1968, and completed 30 credits of graduate work.
 

From 1973 to 1984, he was a supervisory Special Agent of a Federal Law Enforcement Agency
Inspector General’s Office, and worked for Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
 

He met his wife Julia when they were both on active duty in the US Air Force. They had six
children together and were married for 50 years when she passed away.
 

He was a 41 years member with the Riverdale Memorial 1525 American Legion and a First
Degree Knight of Columbus member of Pro Patria council for 61 years, both up until his
passing.
 

As a semi-retiree, he worked on the security team at Sotheby’s Auction House in Manhattan.
He later volunteered at the James J. Peter’s Medical Center (Bronx VA) and worked in their
security department.
 

He further enhanced his purposeful life as an artist and writer. He focused on helping others by
encouraging positive mindsets through his inspirational, spiritual, and compassionate artwork
depicting past and present emotions of his own life.
 

Although he is now reunited with his wife, Julia and daughter, Angela, he is survived by his
children: Michael, Stephen, Betty, son-in-law Bob, Greg, Lawrence, and his eight

grandchildren: Matthew, Scott, Daniel, William, Christina, William, Jessica and Angela.
 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to an organization that
supports Veterans.