William "Bill" Stakias

HENDERSONVILLE – William “Bill” Stakias, age 92, passed away peacefully at his Laurel Park home on March 3, 2021. He was preceded in death by his wife Janet Hodges Stakias in February 2019, after a marriage of almost 66 years. “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” from Bill’s favorite hymn, became his closing for every conversation since that time. Surviving Bill are his two daughters, Malissa Booth of West Palm Beach, FL and Susan Walters of Matthews, NC; his two granddaughters, Allison Walters Davey and Kendal Walters (Ryan Lukens), both of Charlotte, NC; and two great-grandsons, Knox Davey (8) and Jett Davey (4) who loved their Papa Bill. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Stakias Spaanbroek, of Cary, NC, and sister-in-law Faye Stakias (Mrs. Nick Stakias) of Greensboro, NC, as well as many nieces and nephews. Bill was born January 6, 1929 in Monessen, PA, one of seven children of the late Alexander Demetrius Stakias and Bonnie Davis Stakias. Bill was preceded in death by brothers James “Jim” Stakias, George “Corky” Stakias, and Nicholas “Nick” Stakias; and by sisters Margaret Stakias Drollinger and Barbara “Nene” Stakias McClain. He was also preceded in death by his beloved mother-in-law, Lucile Mackey Hodges. Bill’s family moved to Asheville, NC when he was three years old. Both he and Jan graduated in 1948 from Lee H. Edwards High School (now Asheville High School). Both remained active with their high school alumni class until their deaths. Bill attended Asheville-Biltmore College (now UNC-Asheville) before joining the U.S. Navy in October 1950. He served on the west coast and saw action aboard the carrier USS Bataan during the Korean War. He received an award and was honorably discharged in August 1954. After working in Asheville for four years, Bill and his wife and daughters moved to Hendersonville, NC, where Bill continued his employment in the grocery business. He managed A&P supermarkets from 1954 to 1976, including Hendersonville stores on N. Main Street, Asheville Highway, and Southcenter on Greenville Highway. From 1977 to 1980, he was employed by Britt-Clary Food Distributors as a special representative to Ingles stores. He became the manager of the Ingles supermarket on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville when it opened in 1980, where he remained until his retirement in 1994. Bill was admired by his many employees and customers who “traded” with him through the years, where he earned a reputation for extraordinary customer service and an exemplary work ethic. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Hendersonville and a member of the Jim Dishner / Dr. George A. Jones Sunday School Class, serving as class president for many years. Community involvement and service were hallmarks of Bill’s life. He was a member of the Hendersonville Lions Club for more than 50 years, and was recently recognized as a member of the Half Century Club. He received many awards including being named as a Melvin Jones Fellow and a Jack Stickley Fellow, the highest honor presented to a member. He served as chairman of the Lions Club Labor Day weekend breakfast fundraiser and of the Lions Club broom sales for more than 20 years. He was also recognized for recruiting almost 50 new members to the club. Bill was greatly honored to ride in the 2019 Apple Festival parade in recognition of his many years of service as a Lion. Bill joined the Kedron Masonic Lodge #387 in Hendersonville in 1986, and is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason of the Valley of Asheville and a Noble of the Oasis Shrine in Charlotte. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion. In retirement, Bill thoroughly enjoyed golf and he and Jan enjoyed being part of various dance clubs. He loved being with people and endlessly talking to friends, former employees or customers, or to friendly strangers. Consideration of memorials in Bill’s name would be appreciated to either the Shriners Hospital for Children (950 W. Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605) or to Blue Ridge Honor Flight (PO Box 18057, Asheville, NC 28814). Bill considered himself most fortunate to have traveled with other Korean veterans to Washington, DC with the Honor Air Flight in September 2016, and enthusiastically promoted the Honor Air program until his death. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a private burial will be held at Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville, NC. Anders-Rice Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences are encouraged to be shared on the Tribute Wall of the obituary for William “Bill” Stakias on the andersrice.com website.