Support for William Staley’s loved ones

Please help us in supporting Rachael and the rest of her family during this sudden and painful loss. This GoFundMe will support travel and memorial costs for Will Staley’s daughter and loved ones in the wake of his passing.

Please see here for service details: https://www.ramsaygroupfs.com/obituaries/William-Anthony-Staley-IV?obId=28882626#/celebrationWall

William Anthony Staley IV, (55), of Lake Ann, Michigan, passed away on August 28, 2023. William, fondly known as Billy, was born to Tena and William A. Staley III on March 8, 1968 in Standish, Michigan.

Billy was known to be an “easy going, fun-loving guy.” Anyone that knew him during his time here with us knows that to be true. He never dropped his “Staley” smile and would do anything in the world at the drop of a hat to put a smile on your face, spreading joy.

Billy is the oldest of four kids and took the role of oldest in stride with his family. Even though sometimes he would stick his thumb in the occasional freshly-made PB&J, he loved being a big brother to Cherise, Marty, and Glen. Growing up, he was a part of the “Fearsome Five”, known all throughout the family, as they still are for their hijinks and antics.

Due to moving around Michigan for William III’s job, Billy attended Standish Elementary until January of his third grade year; his family then moved to Coloma, Michigan, where he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Watervliet through sixth grade and Lake Michigan Catholic School in St. Joseph, Michigan through ninth grade. His family moved again to Jackson, Michigan; it was there that he finished his academics at Lumen Christi High School, graduating in 1986. He loved and played baseball from Little League through high school, where he was proud to be a Titan.

He went into the Army immediately after graduating. Through the Army, he was stationed in Germany before going to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida to study Aircraft Mechanics. While he was studying in Daytona Beach, he met his future wife - Rebecca (Mongolier) Staley. He loved to surf the waves, and together they would ride their bikes down the coast, listen and dance to live music, and spend time with their friends. After getting married on April 06, 1995, they stayed in Florida until 1997 when they moved to Fort Greely, Alaska.

Billy stayed there for two years for a hardship tour, learning how to live with the extreme change in the elements of the landscape coming from Florida. He loved to go ice-fishing, deep sea fishing, and camping with friends as well as traveling around gazing upon glaciers and the Northern Lights. It was also there that he learned of his knack for and love of art as well as his love of being in nature. Every spring when moose would cast their antlers, Billy would collect them to carve and stain America’s bird - the Bald-Headed Eagle - onto those donated antlers, and being the avid recycler he was, he would use the whole of the antler, using the leftover parts in a new project or turning the base into belt buckles. Billy had to leave his friends up north behind for his next stop in Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg), North Carolina to finish his requirements for the rest of his tour in the winter of 1998. His many military accolades include the Army Service Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Achievement Medal; Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Expert Marksmanship Badge Rifle, M-16; Parachutist Badge; and the Aircraft Crewman Badge.

It was there in Pinehurst, North Carolina on September 2, 1999, that he had his daughter, Rachael Hannah Staley. A short 4 months after she was born, Billy moved up to Westerville, Ohio to start his new life with his family working for NetJets, scheduling flights. Only in Westerville for a short time, Billy and Rebecca soon moved to the suburbs in Blacklick, Ohio to start their life together there. While Billy was there, he became a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. It was there that he dedicated his time to promoting and conducting educational, charitable, religious, and social welfare works. Knight-in-shining armor that he was, he gave back to his community and those in need around him. He was an exemplary knight upholding their four pillars of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism to the highest standard that he could. It wasn’t like Billy to be tied down to one place for too long though, and with that he took a job overseas in Germany in 2005, followed by Afghanistan, as a contractor for the Army fixing helicopters and planes that included not only Chinooks and Apaches, but multiple other aircrafts as well.

Even though Billy and Rebecca put Rachael in a German-speaking school, he would help to teach her the language as to ensure that she would be able to make friends and would not feel alone in a new place; once again taking on his ever-present role as comforter and role model in her life to help and treat others as they wish to be treated. In an attempt to have his daughter love nature and traveling as much as he did, Billy made sure to spend time with her not only traveling around Germany, but also skiing in the Swiss and Austrian Alps as well as going to France, a trait and pastime that she values and enjoys now more than ever. Not only that, he also made sure to instill a strong sense of familial values in her as well, making sure to spend time with his family as much as possible when he could, especially while at Camp Staley with close family and relatives, valuing time with loved ones as you never know when your time with them might end. As time moved on, Billy made his way back to the States in 2008 to start work in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida, moving around to provide for his family as he always had done before.

Billy held many titles in his life, but his favorite role was being a father. He missed his daughter every second that he had to spend away from her, from thousands of miles away at some points in time, and he made sure she never doubted his love for her or how consistently proud of her he was. Every chance that he got, he would be there to support her in her activities, whether it was her dance recitals, choir or cello concerts; soccer and volleyball games or swim meets; or to see her “shine on stage” in the plays and musicals that she performed in: memories that his daughter will carry with her forever, on top of so many others. Whenever he talked about his daughter, Billy’s face glowed and shone with pride like nothing anyone had ever seen. Everyone knew how much he loved his family. After Rachael graduated college, Billy decided to settle back up in Lake Ann, Michigan after transferring jobs to be closer to family. In his free time, he could be found playing his many harmonicas or his guitar. Though his voice wasn’t the greatest, he always let himself sing with nothing holding back as he taught so many people how to live. He got back into his hobbies of baking (his toasted coconut magic bars were unrivaled by many a dessert), fishing, and creating eagles out of antlers. He also enjoyed going on the lake with family, spending time with cousins and their kids, sharing his laughter and memories with them. He loved going back to Camp Staley to see all the kids running around, reminding him what it was like when he was younger. With him around, there truly was never a dull moment, as he always made the camp feel full of life with the energy that radiated off of him. One of the most genuine people, Billy would always lend an ear if you “just wanted to talk, he would always listen.” While Billy left us far too soon, he made the most of time spent together, ensuring everyone around him felt special. The impact he had on our lives and in our hearts will never leave us as he truly will be missed.

Billy is survived by his wife Rebecca (Mongolier) Staley and their daughter Rachael Staley. He is also survived by his parents, Tena and William A. Staley III, his siblings Cherise Staley Nystrom (Kyle Nystrom), Marty Staley (Jen Staley), and Glen Staley (Julie Staley), as well as his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation for William will be from 11a-1p on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023 at Resurrection of the Lord Parish (423 W Cedar St. Standish, MI, 48658, see link above). Flowers can be received at the Church’s address. Following the visitation will be mass, military honors, and then family dinner at Camp Staley (3975 E City Limits, Standish, MI 48658). If you do not wish to send flowers, please consider donating to this GoFundMe for William and his loved ones to support them through this time in the wake of his passing: the funds will be going to his daughter and family for funeral costs, travel costs, as well as a memorial for Billy to be placed at Camp Staley. The rest of the funds will be donated towards charities surrounding mental health awareness.