Video Tribute; Click Here

William Stith Jr.

William Meade Stith Jr., 95, of Severna Park, died from a stroke June 6 at home.

Born Feb. 14, 1912, in Petersburg, Va., Mr. Stith graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1933, where he was a champion on the wrestling team.

Mr. Stith volunteered for military service during World War II, but was rejected for medical reasons. Subsequently he became a key person in the manufacture of heavy water as a chemist and supervisor for the DuPont company. Heavy water was needed for the Manhattan Project during the effort to develop atomic weapons, which ultimately ended the war. He retired as senior production manager in 1971, after 35 years of service at DuPont.

He was an active volunteer and life member of the Lions Club International Foundation, which presented him with the Melvin Jones Fellow award for his dedicated humanitarian service.

An avid photographer and gardener, his interests also included sailing, saltwater fishing, Baltimore Colts football and VMI athletics.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Hannah W. Stith; one son, William Meade Stith III of Portsmouth, Va.; one daughter, Hannah W. Barlow of Mechanicsville, Va.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. on June 23 at the Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park, where memorial services will follow at 1 p.m. Burial is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Virginia Military Institute Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 or Lions Club International Foundation, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL. Online condolences can be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com.