William Patrick "Bill" Stuff

William Patrick "Bill" Stuff, 71, of Little Rock, died at Arkansas Hospice at St. Vincent Infirmary on Sunday, May 13, 2012 with his wife, his brother, Dave, and family in attendance. Known as Willie in his professional life and Bill to family and friends, he will be missed by many. Bill was born to David Lee Stuff and Martha (Major) Stuff at St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock on December 20th, 1940. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1958. Bill joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged after four years. While in the Navy, he served aboard the U.S.S. Lexington. He considered his naval career and service to his country as one of the highest honors in his life. Bill married Alice Marie Gerke on October 28th, 1972, who survives him. He is also survived by his brother, Dave Stuff (Marlene) and sister, Mary Jane Shyver; in-laws, Tony (Barb) Gerke, Bob Gerke (Janice), Linda Gerke, Phil Gerke (Lori), Howard Gerke (Mary), Karen Hill (Norman) and multiple generations of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, David Shyver, his in-laws, Anton and Alice Gerke, Frank Gerke, Mascel Atwell, and adopted brother, Paul Gerke. Willie retired from Crow-Burlingame and Company following a career of over 40 years in the automotive parts business. He was ASE-certified and was voted Counter Man of the Year, winning a trip to the Indy 500 while employed at Crow-Burlingame. Bill was active in Holy Souls Seniors Group, Knights of Columbus and Holy Souls Men's Club. He enjoyed these groups very much and especially enjoyed being involved with the Seniors Group. Bill enjoyed a good game of poker and Shanghai rummy along with picking the horses from the forms, the Arkansas Repertory Theater and sprint car races. He had a lot of interests in his life, but he always made time to learn more about anything that interested him or the people around him. Bill was a lifelong learner and trivia buff. He loved to travel and never met a stranger. He went to all of the continents, the Arctic and Antarctic included. His favorite traveling companions were his wife, Alice, Linda, Phil, Lori and especially, Paul. In 2008, Bill became a double amputee and made the best of it by remaining active in his hobbies, parts collecting and tool buying, and spending time with family and friends. Even with his disability, he always put others first and made sure that Alice, his guests, and everyone around him was well taken care of. Bill was loved well by many and will be missed greatly by all he touched. Bill's wife, Alice, would like to thank Dr. Ramaswami of St. Vincent's Family Practice Clinic and the doctors and personnel at St. Vincent Infirmary for their exceptional care of Bill over the last several years. In his final days, St. Vincent's MICU and Arkansas Hospice at St. Vincent's offered outstanding comfort and support to Bill and Alice. Memorials are suggested to Arkansas Repertory Theater, Arkansas Hospice, and Msgr. Allen's Trust Fund at Holy Souls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Erik Pohlmeier on Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Souls, followed by interment at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Visitation will be this evening, Tuesday, at Holy Souls, beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Stuff's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.