When John W. “Bill” Stirling died in December of 2007, the city of Alliance lost one of the area’s finest funeral directors and a long-time community icon.

Bill was born and raised in Washingtonville, Ohio. He served in the US Navy in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. After graduating from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Bill received his license in 1949 and joined Sharer Funeral Home. Bill was the immediate former owner of the funeral home and retired in 1986. After retirement, he remained active in the funeral home.

Dedicated to community service, he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Past President of Alliance Lion's Club, a Century Member of the Alliance Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus Bowling League. Bill was well known in the Alliance area as a tenor singer. He has been a soloist in many weddings and performed during many community shows, especially at St. Patrick’s Day activities.

Over the years, he was involved with helping the youth of our community in many ways. He was a former diving instructor at Alliance High School in the 1960’s and also at the YMCA for many years. He was very involved with the Alliance Hot Stove League and was a member of their Board of Directors. In 1941, Bill put a new team in place, calling it the “Stirling Celtics,” and had been sponsoring that team every year to date. He was also a recipient of the “Cy Butler Award”. He was also active with the ULSTER PROJECT, helping Irish Exchange Students become familiar with life in America.