Ewing Oliver “Joe” Stidham Jr. – Burlington

It is with profound and respectful sadness that we announce the passing of Joe Stidham on March 13, 2015, in the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. He passed quietly, with his family by his side. He was born, July 29, 1928, and raised in Pound, Va., as the first born child of E. Oliver Sr. and Besse Mead Stidham. He was a graduate of Christopher Gist High School. Joe joined the USAF, with basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Radar Maintenance School in Boca Raton, Fla., and served in the Panama Canal Zone, Montauk Point, R.I., Fort Ethan Allen, Vt., St. Albans AFB, Vt., Clark AFB, Phillipine Islands, Concord AFB, Vt., Eilsen AFB, Alaska, and Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. Joe was an intelligent, quiet, unassuming man who dedicated 20 years to the United States Air Force, originally coming to Vermont to find Radar installation sites on the Canadian/Vermont border in 1948. He retired a Senior Master Sargent. He then worked for the State of Vermont as a purchaser, retiring after 22 years. Among Joe’s survivors is his daughter Kathleen Raymond (Victor) of Shelburne. There will be a celebration of his life and committal in the Lakeview Cemetery in West Addison at the convenience of the family. Donations in his name may be made to the Veterans Assistance Fund, c/o Milt Willis, PO Box 704, White River Jct., VT 05001.