William “Bill” Frank Staye, age 83 of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away September 7, 2020.

He was born on May 30, 1937 in Winsted, Minnesota to William and Eva (Fleischhacker) Staye. He and his family briefly lived in Flint, Michigan, but returned to Minnesota and graduated from Howard Lake High School. After high school, Bill enlisted to join the Navy, which led him to be stationed in Pensacola, Florida. He proudly served and was honorably discharged from his military duties in June of 1963.

On August 19, 1977, he was united in marriage to Geraldine “Gerry” Qualey in Watertown, South Dakota.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman; you could often find him fishing on Big Sandy Lake near their cabin in McGregor, or hunting around the family homestead in Howard Lake. He liked to travel, especially to Alaska, which he and Gerry once drove all the way there from Minnesota. They toured several countries in Europe as well.

Bill was a member of the Howard Lake Legion and would often volunteer to maintain the building and take care of other maintenance duties. He also assisted with his son’s Boy Scout events and was very active in his children’s activities. He was a wonderful husband and father; he took pride in providing a loving and caring upbringing for his family. He was a pillar in the community, owning and operating Bill’s Economy Glass from 1970 until he sold his business to his son in 2002.

He is preceded in death by his son, David; parents, William and Eva; sisters, Marlene Durand and Janice Staye; and brother, Stanley Staye.

Bill is survived by his wife, Gerry; his children, Kent (Rita) Staye and Michael (Tara) Staye; Gerry’s children, Troy (Linda) Dulski, and Tab (Carol) Dulski; grandchildren, Brianna, Shelby, Ana, Marcus, Kevin, and Michael; nephew, Buck; nieces, Cindy and Summer Jo; and many sisters and brothers-in-law, other relatives, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 11, 2020, at 7:00 PM with visitation one hour prior at Chilson Funeral Chapel, 200 Fairlawn Avenue West, Winsted, MN. Father Kenneth O’Hotto will be the celebrant.  Military honors provided by the Howard Lake American Legion Post 145 will follow the service inside the chapel. Interment will take place at a later date at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Winsted.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Chilson Funeral Chapel in Winsted, MN. Online condolences may be directed to the family by visiting www.chilsonfuneralhome.com.

Due to COVID-19 guidelines, we ask that all attendees abide by social distancing regulations and practice safe precautions by wearing a mask if planning to attend the visitation and/or service.