Born January 17, 1923 in Hoquiam, Washington.
Son of Albert I. Stoddard and Gertrude Eleanor McGowan.
Grandson of Elijah Willard Stoddard of Rapids City, Iowa
Great-grandson of Wells Stoddard of Marion Twp., Linn County, Iowa

Married Helen Delight Lancaster (Sept. 20, 1922 - March 18, 1998)

Bill was born into a family that was already struggling in 1923. The day after his first birthday, his older sister Betty died. It's hard to imagine that the grief associated with Betty's death translated into happy or positive focus on young William. We will never know the effect this tragedy had on Billy's early development.

We can see from the photo of young Billy circa 1930 in his cowboy hat and "Centralia" neck scarf that he was a cute kid. The photo of him on his bicycle with his newspaper bag strapped on his handlebars is another example of a proud moment in his childhood.

Billy probably idolized his older brother John "Jack" Stoddard. I think Jack tried to include Billy in his life as much as possible...but their six years difference in age was a lot to overcome. Jack was 18 when Billy was only 12. About that time (1935) their father A.I. left home and moved back to Spokane - at least for a while. Jack probably and reluctantly became the father-figure of the home. In 1939, Jack left home in Hoquiam went to college at Ellensburg when Billy was just sixteen. Billy was left on his own with his difficult mother. In 1943, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army. Billy probably enlisted in the U.S. Navy about the same time. His designation, "AS" while in the U.S. Navy on his headstone may stand for "Anti-Submarine" service - probably aboard a destroyer.

Bill had problems in the U.S. Navy. I remember seeing a telegram my mother sent to my father, Jack Stoddard, while he was in the Army in 1944: "Bill is in trouble. Come quickly." Ultimately Bill was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy but it was before the end of his enlistment.

After Bill got out of the Navy, he met and married Helen Delight Lancaster. They lived in Portland, Oregon. Bill and Helen had two sons, Dennis and Andrew, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. But Bill was unable to provide a stable economic environment for his young family for very long. Bill developed a severe problem with alcoholism and was frequently absent from home and unemployed.

In the mid-1960s, Bill came to Aberdeen, Washington and lived his his brother Jack and his family for a short period. This opportunity to get back on his feet failed probably because he was in too familiar territory that encouraged his drinking. No effort to help Bill succeeded.

Bill was a heavy smoker and wound up getting cancer of his larynx (voice box) which was removed circa 1975. He talked with the assistance of an electronic amplifier he carried with him. He had an opening to his throat on his neck covered by a small square gauze pad. When he coughed, the gauze pad would flap or even fly off - which could scare the dickens out of you. He was not someone you would want to spend time with at this time. It was sad to see him like this. When I saw him in this condition circa 1978, at first I didn't even recognize him. As I understood, Bill died by blunt force trauma to his head while being robbed for his money after cashing his social security check in the Burnside district of Portland (skid row). A horrible end to a tragic life.

I feel especially bad for Bill's wife Helen and their children, my cousins. All I can say to them is that their father probably had mental health issues his whole life and that he was incapable of holding down a job or being either a good husband or a good father.

I look at these old photos of Bill as a young boy and try to think about what a sweet, innocent boy he was then. Rest In Peace Bill. Maybe it will turn out better in your next life. I hope your children can forgive you.
Inscription
William R. Stoddard AS US Navy World War II January 17, 1923 March 16, 1979