George William "Butch" Stewart, 82, was called by the Lord to his heavenly home September 5, 2019.  He was born April 22, 1937 in Key West, Florida to George Marion and Miriam Carey Stewart and was a graduate of Key West High School, class of 1955. He served in the United States Air Force, and worked in the Naval Station Ship Yard, Key West before beginning his career as a Merchant Marine Chief Engineer with Murphy Pacific Marine on the Master Vessel Cable.

In 1979 he relocated with his family to Seffner, Florida where he continued his 35 year career as a merchant seaman with North American Trailing Co. on the dredge ships Manhattan, Padre and Dodge Island.

He was a 50 year member of Dade Lodge #14 Free and Accepted Mason, Key West and served as Worshipful Master in 1963. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the Seafarer's International Union and St. Andrew's United Methodist Church.  In retirement he enjoyed working in his flower garden and spending time at his cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. His love of model trains was evident in the many hours he spent going to train shows and building layouts for his trains on the back porch.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Yvonne Stewart Atkinson and Donna Stewart Nicklaus.

Left to cherish his memory are his high school sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Shirley Brill Stewart, his three daughters Susan Lynn Stevens (Doug), Janet Lee Nobel (John), Cheryl Anne Moore (Chuck), 6 grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Stevens, Jarrod William and Jeremy Christian Nobel, Audrey Renee, Abigail Elizabeth and Wyatt Charles Moore and brother-in -law Carl Brill.

In celebration of his life, a memorial service will be held Thrusday, September 12, 2019 at 2 PM in the chapel of Serenity Meadows. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1 PM.

George was a loving husband and father, the proudest of grandfathers and loyal friend to many. To honor his wishes, his ashes will be spread by his family in the mountains of his North Carolina home.