James William "Bill" Stewart

James William Stewart, “Bill,” passed away peacefully at home on March 23, 2016.  He was born on January 18, 1929 to Devirl B. Stewart and Grace Nixon Stewart.  He grew up in Salt Lake City and attended Stewart Training Elementary, Bryant Jr. High and East High School.  He excelled on the Debate Team at East.  In his primary years, he spent a year in New York. During high school he earned two summer scholarships in speech and dramatics that took him to Denver, CO and Banff, Canada. He attended Brigham Young University where he received a Bachelor of Accounting, a Bachelor of Business Finance and a Masters of Communications.

At age 19, he became engaged to the love of his life, Ellen Francine Robbins, just before leaving to serve an LDS mission in England. They were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple, on September 5, 1950.  During their 65 years of marriage, Bill often professed his love to his sweetheart, by saying, “I love you, Francine, you are so beautiful.”  They are the parents of four children.  They began raising their family in Salt Lake and then moved to San Jose, California, where they lived for 29 years.  Bill pursued a career in Business.

A captivating personality, Bill loved striking up conversations with anyone, always putting people at ease.  An avid reader, his wealth of knowledge was great. He enjoyed his East High study group of 65 years.

He was a devoted member of the LDS church.  With his family by his side, his last words of testimony were, “I believe in Christ and his atoning sacrifice. Stay close to Heavenly Father.  I love my sweetheart, Francine. Please take care of Stephen while I’m gone, he’s been so good to me.”

Bill adored his four children, and had a special bond with his son Stephen, who lived with him for the past 50 years.  Stephen and Bill loved and cared for each other.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his brother Devirl Stewart, sister Marilyn Lazare, his wife Francine Stewart, four children, Jim (Penee) Stewart, Stephen Stewart, Frank (Rhonda) Stewart, Annette (Brent) Bell. Grandchildren, James, Jason, Sherstin, Matthew, Nicholas, Justin, Ryan, Kristi Ann, Natalie, Stacey, Brooke and their spouses and 7 great grandchildren, Alex, Carter, Charlie, Jack, Zack, Zoey and Addison.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at The Compton Bench Chapel, 850 North 300 West, Farmington.  Friends and family may visit Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 North Main, Farmington, and Saturday at The Compton Bench Chapel from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Perpetual Education Fund for the LDS Church.