William P. Stewart Sr., 74, of Vero Beach, passed away on April 27, 2014.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Barbara Kay Stewart; four children, David P., William P., Jr., James, and Kelly Sarah; three granddaughters Quinlan, Lindzy, and Hunter.
He was born June 18, 1939 in Chicago, Ill., the son of William Steele and Sarah Pope Stewart of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He is the great-grandnephew of Alfred Atmore Pope of “Hill-Stead” in Farmington, Conn.
Stewart grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio and attended the Hawken School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Ohio State University in Columbus. He also attended banking schools at Northwestern University and the University of Florida. He is a Life Member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association.
Stewart began a long and successful banking career in 1967 in Richmond, Va. In 1969, he moved to West Palm Beach continuing his banking career. In 1980, he moved to Vero Beach to head the trust department at Florida National Bank. He retired in 2001 as First Vice President, Private Client Services of Sun Trust Bank in Vero Beach.
During his banking career, Stewart served as President of The Florida Bankers Association, Trust Division in 1991 to 1992 and in 2002 he was voted into The Florida Bankers Association Trust Bankers Hall of Fame.
He was also very active for 18 years with The Florida Bar and Florida Bankers Annual Liaison Conference by serving on its steering committee and in 1985 was awarded a special commendation by both professions acknowledging his dedication to the quality of both professions.
In the early and mid 1980s, Stewart was involved in various community functions in Vero Beach. He served for several years on the Riverside Theater Trust Board and The Association for Retarded Citizens board. He was also active in The Vero-Treasure Coast Kiwanis Club.
He and Barbara are currently members of Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce, The Heritage Foundation of Indian River County, and The Humane Society of Indian River. Stewart was a member of the former Riomar Bay Yacht Club in Vero Beach. He has always been active in the Republican Party. He served on the Indian River Executive Committee and as President of The Republican Men’s Club. In 1985, he received an invitation and attended Ronald Reagan’s second Inauguration and Inaugural Ball in Washington.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Michaela Scott, Dr. Garrick Kanzler, and oncology nurses Lucy, Renee, and Susie and others.
