William Billie Stafford

Mr. William “Billie” Stafford, beloved Dad and Grandad, transitioned from this life on July 29, 2023, at the age of 85. William, known to most as Billie, was born August 12, 1937, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, to Alonzo and Lillie Mae Stafford. He was 1 of 8 siblings.

Billie joined the United States Air Force at the age of 21 in September 1955 and received an Honorable Discharge in September 1961. He relocated to Saginaw, Michigan, where he began working at General Motors Saginaw Malleable Iron Plant in 1962. He was affiliated with UAW Local 455. Billie retired from General Motors after over 40 years of service.

After moving to Saginaw, Billie met and married Sarah Hemphill (Stafford) who predeceased him on December 2, 2006. To their union, three children were born: Karen Stafford, William Stafford, Jr., and Linda (Rodney) Chatman.

Billie leaves to cherish his memory: Vivian Jennings; sons, Jonathon “Kebo” (Diane) Taylor, William Stafford, Jr.; daughters, Karen Stafford and Linda (Rodney) Chatman; fourteen grandchildren, Ka’Niquia and Kae’Von Williams, Kayla Wilkins, Latricia, Jayla and Jeremiah Chatman, Shelisa and Deseray Stafford, Napoleon Sheffield, Marquita and LaVerne Martin, Justin (Christina) Taylor, Keisha Taylor, and John (Brittany) Juster. He also leaves nieces, nephews, friends, and good neighbors.

Billie was preceded in death by his mother and father, his siblings, his wife, and his son, Gerald Martin.