William Floyd Stagg, Jr

William Floyd Stagg, Jr., aka Bill/Riptide, loved good sushi, classic motorcycles, his many guitars, music of all kinds, the wonder of nature, but most of all his family and friends.  In general, he loved life and lived every moment of it with joy and a spirit of adventure.

 Bill never new a stranger and felt enriched by meeting new people, who in turn were made better for knowing him, if even for an hour.  He never focused on himself, and was genuinely interested in other people’s lives and stories. 

 The past year and a half was a difficult road for Bill as he bravely battled espophageal cancer.  He began his year-long skirmish with optimism, never complained and was willing to do everything he was asked in order to get well.  In the end, he grew weary and allowed himself to take the longest rest we can be given.  He passed peacefully on September 6, 2019 in the loving company of his wife Kimberly, sister Adriana Golden, and dear friend Molly Wilson.

 Bill was 67 years young, having arrived on the planet on January 12, 1952 in Würtzburg, Germany, the son of Lt. William F. Stagg, Sr. USA, and Adriana Lena Roos Stagg.

Bill graduated in 1970 from Mt. Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA.  He studied just about everything at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA from 1970 to 1978  ending up at long last with a degree in Communication.

He was with the National FFA for 40 years and 11 months where he served in a variety of roles from his first as a highly talented photographer to Director of Strategic Communications.    Bill influenced and mentored many young people during his time at FFA. 

 Left behind to conjure wonderful memories of loving and living with Bill and telling stories that may or may not be true, are his wife Kimberley, son Ryan William Stagg (Pornalin), and daughter Kasey Beth Lennox both from his first marriage to Mary Beth Shipley, his sister Adriana Stagg Golden (Kim), nephews Marshall Bennett Baber III and Daniel Stagg Baber (Jehnna),  step-daughters Kelsey Leigh Ellis (Isaac) and Karley Anne Shirfan (Alan), grandsons Isaac Ellis (11), Thomas Ellis (9), Samuel Ellis (6),  and granddaughter Eliza Rose Shirfan (ETA at any time) and a legion of very dear friends. 

 We invite you to come celebrate a life well-lived among family and friends of Bill’s at your convenience on Saturday, October 26, between 1:00pm and 6:00pm at the Lion’s Club, 115 S. Elm Street, Zionsville, IN, 46077

 In lieu of flowers, we request that you make the world a better place like Bill did and consider making a donation in Bill’s honor to any or all of the following:

 The National Parks Conservation Association - https://secure.npca.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app330b?idb=985271380&df_id=1333&mfc_pref=T&1333.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=9F67C7E4D3F1721FD371030B155255D5

Anschutz Cancer  Center - http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/centers/cancercenter/GivingtoUCCC/Pages/givinghome.aspx

National FFA Scholarship Foundation –

https://ffa.givenow.stratuslive.com/ffadonate