Robert William (Bill) Stewart
Funeral services for Robert William (Bill) Stewart, 81, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 15, 2025, at Union Grove General Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Stewart passed away peacefully Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Ozarks Healthcare.
He was born October 22, 1943, in Norfork, Arkansas, to Howard and Ruby (Killian) Stewart, and grew up knowing the value of hard work, resourcefulness and always lending a hand when someone needed it. On September 25, 1976, Bill married the love of his life, Rita (Fox) Stewart. For nearly 49 years, they built a life full of love, laughter and simple joys – from raising their family to enjoying popcorn dates and evenings on the porch. Bill spent most of his working life in construction, where his skill and work ethic earned the respect of everyone who knew him. He also enjoyed driving a school bus for Fairview School for many years. He loved gardening, working puzzles, reading old westerns and putting his ingenuity to work finding creative ways to fix just about anything. In earlier years, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle. One of his favorite recent accomplishments was finishing a remodel with Josh, a project they were proud to complete together. Bill was a man of few words, but his grin – especially when watching his grandkids or sharing a laugh, spoke louder than anything he could say. He served faithfully as a deacon at Union Grove General Baptist Church, leading with kindness, humility and generosity. Bill will be remembered for his steady presence, his quiet strength and the way his smile lit up around those he loved most. His legacy will live on through the family he cherished and the many lives he touched.
Bill was a proud dad to Joshua Riley Stewart and wife, Rachel, and to his late son, Jeremiah Stewart. He was “Papa” to Jakob Stewart and wife, Montanna, Symin Stewart and fiancée, Kynslee Burgess and Sheppard Stewart – and he was over the moon about meeting his first great-grandson, Tommie Stewart, due soon to Jakob and Montanna. He is also survived by his brother, Dick Stewart, and sisters-in-law, Norma Stewart and Linda Sanders.
His parents, one infant son, Jeremiah Stewart, in-laws, Virginia and Allen (Dall) Fox and one brother, Fred Stewart, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at Union Grove General Baptist Church. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Grove Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri.
MARY L LAWSON
August 11, 2025 @ 1:46 pm
will miss him so much Rita and Bill was good friends
Rev. Mike and Donna Parrott
August 11, 2025 @ 2:59 pm
Bro. Bill has been a steadfast rock deacon and church member that we’ve relied on since coming to pastor Union Grove General Baptist Church. His kind and loving heart, genuine smile, and sense of humor will be missed but will always be remembered. He was a student of the Bible and very knowledgeable in God’s Word. He will be missed but he is in the presence of our Savior and the Father. We’ll see you again one day. We love you. Sis. Rita, words cannot express the depth of love that we have for you. Prayers for God’s arms to engulf you so that you can feel His presence surrounding you. We love you. Mike and Donna Parrott
Anna Brauer
August 11, 2025 @ 3:19 pm
Rita I’m so sorry to hear about your loss I will not say it get easier because it doesn’t need I’m right here to talk to
Delores Horner
August 11, 2025 @ 3:35 pm
Rita, I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.
Teresa Eldringhoff Romans
August 11, 2025 @ 4:33 pm
Rita, I am so very sorry for your loss.
LaVerna Williams
August 11, 2025 @ 7:42 pm
Rita, I am so sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed seeing Bill at church. Rita if you need anything let us know. Love you and sending prayers.
Paul L. Medlin
August 12, 2025 @ 6:26 am
Rita, Josh & Family,
On behalf of Mom, Nancy , Blaire, Chuck, Linda, Ellie, Sue , George and myself, we send our sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy to you at the passing of Bill. He and you have meant so much to us over the years. While time and life has not always allowed us to be closer, you have been and will always be in our hearts.
We all will not be with you and your family on Friday, but please know that we send our love, prayers and the wish that time and a lifetime of memories will give you comfort and peace. I will always remember our time together when we were young, your Mom, Dad and Linda and our visits to the farm and river. Life ,with all its challenges, heartbreak and disappointments, still brings people into our lives that are invaluable. Love Always, Paul
Shelley Surface
August 12, 2025 @ 2:08 pm
Rita, I am sorry for your loss.
Lisa Manion Meade
August 12, 2025 @ 2:30 pm
Rita,
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing but rejoicing that he is with the Father. You both have always been so kind to me.
Mike Stewart
August 12, 2025 @ 11:44 pm
I will miss Uncle Bill. When I was a kid, we would visit him and my grandparents in Norfork, AR. He would be working on cars and motorcycles in the garage; some of them he got repaired and others he never seemed to finish. I tried to help, handing him wrenches and other tools; the right ones most of the time. He taught me the basics of automobile care and maintenance, for cars built prior to 1980 anyway.
My favorite Uncle Bill story involves cookies when I was ten years old and living Colorado Springs I think. He and I had a tollhouse chocolate chip cookie eating contest. There were two dozen cookies or more maybe. After dinner, I matched him cookie for cookie. At first. But he won. I went to bed with a belly ache and didn’t eat another chocolate chip cookie for twenty years.
Lisa and I were fortunate to stop for a visit this summer. We had lunch at a diner on Porter Wagoner Blvd. It was great to catch up with family–it had been too many years since we last got together. The years and people sometimes slip by way too fast.
Our condolences and love to Aunt Rita in this difficult time. Mike and Lisa
Angie Stewart
August 13, 2025 @ 3:38 pm
Chris, myself and our family are so sorry to hear of Uncle Bill’s passing. It was so good to see him, Rita and the whole family at our son’s graduation party a couple of years ago. Our whole family is in Florida until this weekend. Our hugs, love and prayers go out to Rita, Josh and family
Jim and Juanita Walker
August 14, 2025 @ 11:50 am
Our most sincere condolences to you, Rita, Josh and Rachel, and all the family. Praying for all if you.
Donna Newberry
August 14, 2025 @ 6:41 pm
Rita and family sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for you all. Noble and Donna