May 4, 1936 – April 2, 2023
William Michael Stanaway achieved everlasting peace on April 2, 2023 at Candlelight Home in Spokane, WA with his wife and stepdaughter by his side.
Bill was born in Butte, Montana, on May 4, 1936 to William Henry and Agnes Patricia Stanaway and grew up in the shadow of the Berkeley Pit Mine. The oldest of three brothers and two sisters, he used his sparkling blue eyes and quick wit to his advantage as he learned to play poker, the importance of family, love of laughter and life-long friendships in Butte.
Bill graduated from Christian Bros High School in Butte in 1954, matriculated to Carroll College where he earned a MA in Biology in 1958. He followed this with a Master of Divinity from Mt. St. Bernard Seminary in 1962 and achieved a Master of Science in Biology from Notre Dame in 1967. Bill’s life epitomized what it means to be a soulful scientist – always questioning, seeking truth, and belief in an innate goodness surrounding our earthly lives.
No stranger to creative problem solving, Bill began his professional life as a teacher of science and theology at Anaconda Central High School. Later, as the High School Principal, he secured a Ford Foundation Grant for Innovative Schools. He moved on to adult education and coordinated family education programs for eight Butte-area parishes during the mid 1970’s and transitioned to Campus Ministry at his alma mater, Carroll College, from 1979-1987. While Chaplain at Carroll, “Father Stan” was esteemed
