Obituary: Bye, Stanley E., Jr.
Stanley was born August 2, 1924 in Carthage, MO.
He graduated from Carthage High School in 1942.
With the start of WWll, Stan joined the U.S. Army.
In his initial service Stanley studied engineering at Cornell University in an accelerated program.
While there he was introduced to Julia A. Connelly, the sister of his best friend.
The Army decided to deploy Stan overseas where he earned both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge.
Following dozens of love letters and the end of the war, Stanley married Julia on September 29, 1945 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bronx, NY.
He then returned to college, graduating with a B.S.
degree in Chemical Engineering from the Missouri School of Mines in 1948.
He spent his entire career working in explosives for DuPont, moving with his family all across the nation.
Stanley and Julia retired in Ottawa, IL.
They loved each other deeply through more than 55 years of marriage.
After Julia’s death in 2001, Stanley remained in Ottawa.
Four years ago, he moved to Spokane to be closer to family.
Stan was always an active volunteer in every community in which he lived.
He sang in the church choirs, was an active Knights of Columbus member, and worked as a volunteer for various hospital and hospice programs, as well as other church and community programs.
His family, faith, and church were all very important to him.
He enjoyed attending reunions of the 75th Infantry Division.
He enjoyed music and the arts, was a bowler, fisherman, marksman, and card player.
He and Julia together loved hosting parties for family and friends, and traveling together.
Stan was happiest when surrounded by his family, and lived his life putting their needs first.
He was liked by everyone and was genuinely the nicest and most generous person you could ever meet.
We love him, and miss him.
Stanley is survived by his daughters, Mary (Keith) Bartels of Lincoln, NE and Margie (Robert) Gordon of Spokane; grandchildren, Toby (Crystal) Bartels of Lincoln, Jessi (Chine) Bartels of Denver, CO and Ian (Melissa) Gordon and Luke (Claire) Gordon, both of Spokane; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Ella, Julian and Ava, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Mae Bye; wife, Julia Bye; daughter, Bridget Ann Bye; twin brother, Samuel Bye; brother, John Bye and sister, Mary Bye.
A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the chapel at Gonzaga University, 3rd floor of the administration building.
A memorial celebration of Stanley’s life will be held in mid-January; please contact the family if you would like to attend this event.
Thank you to the staff at Providence Sacred Heart; you gave Stanley and his family the best of care and compassion in his last days.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Providence Healthcare Foundation.
Please visit Stanley’s on-line memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com Arrangements entrusted to: