Carl George Stillman's Obituary
Carl George Stillman, known to friends and family as "Chuck," died peacefully at age 89 on April 8 at his family home on Gravelly Lake Drive in Lakewood, WA. He was the loving husband of Anabelle Morrison Stillman, who he married June 21, 1942, and who preceded him in death (2005). Chuck always will be remembered for his courage, strength, far-sightedness, wisdom, and willingness to help others. He had a resolute faith in God that stood as a good example to all who knew him and particularly his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in-laws. Chuck lived in recent years in Sequim, WA where he was lovingly cared for by his daughter Diana, her husband Rich Hay, and children Holly and Jonathan. Chuck was born Sept. 5, 1918 near Valley City, North Dakota to Leon Elliot Stillman and Dena Aletta Schroeder. Raised on a farm, he attended Noltimier Consolidated School through grade and high school and went on to graduate from Valley City State Teachers' College Depressed economic conditions caused him to move to Washington State where he found work at a dairy farm near Littlerock. He left that job to attend Washington State College (now University), where he studied agricultural economics. Later in life, he graduated from University of Puget Sound with a B.A. in economics. In May 1939, Stillman began work for the Northern Pacific Railway Co. in Tacoma as a telegraph operator and quickly advanced to become a station agent. Soon Chuck's skills and hard work earned him a promotion to dispatcher in 1941 where he played an important logistics role as the country mobilized and transported troops and material via rail for the war effort. In 1956 the Northern Pacific promoted Stillman to Chief Dispatcher, the post from which he retired after 38 years of distinguished service in 1977. He won numerous honors, including being chosen by the merged Burlington Northern Railroad as "Employee of the Month." After his railroad retirement, Chuck launched a second career as a tree farmer, purchasing acreage in western Washington that he planted with over a million Douglas fir trees. His superb stewardship of the land earned him many awards, including Washington State "Tree Farmer of the Year" in 1984. Earlier he won similar awards from Pierce County and from Weyerhaeuser. Stillman served on the Pierce County Forestry Board and held various offices with the Pierce County Farm Forestry Association. Chuck was extremely active in Lake City Community Church where he served in many capacities, including deacon, trustee, and Sunday School teacher. He also served as chairman and director of Youth for Christ, as well as Sports Life Ministries. Stillman also was active with Boy Scouts, 4-H, Washington Pony Breeders, Welsh Pony Club of American, Morse Telegraphers' Club, Burlington Northern Veterans' Association, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, and the Grange. For a number of years, he held a private pilot's license and flew Cessna's and other light aircraft for recreation. He proudly served as an officer of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), where his membership was established as a descendant of Capt. Nathaniel Stillman, who was an officer in Gen. George Washington's guard during the Revolutionary War. He became State President of SAR in Washington and later a national Vice President. For a number of years, Stillman was a director and officer of Lakeview Light & Power Co. He loved to follow closely the achievements of his son and daughters' in sports, music, and academics in the early years and later as they married and raised his six grandchildren. With Anabelle, he got great pleasure from being around those grandchildren, and very late in his life, his great-grandchildren. Carl George Stillman leaves three children, Don (Judy Scott); Kathy (Dick) Page; and Diana (Rich) Hay; six grandchildren, Scott and Sarah Stillman; Scott (Stephanie) Page, Kevin (Rebecca) Page, and Holly and Jonathan Hay; two great-grandchildren, Levi and Lydia Page; three sisters, Leona, Eva, and Margaret; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. He also leaves behind many friends, fellow workers, church members, and others for whom he cared deeply. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 12 at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA. 253-584-0252 A private burial is planned. At his request in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Russian Orphans, SOAR International Ministries, 135 Granite Pt. Ct., Kenai, AK 99611. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 584-0252.
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