Edward Norbert Stanford
1933-2024
Ed Stanford passed away peacefully on September 25, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a brief illness. The oldest of three children, Ed was born on November 20, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Edward and Rae Stanford.
Ed grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, and moved to Seattle in 1961 when he was hired by the Boeing Company. He spent nearly 37 years at Boeing, joining as a technician straight out of trade school and working his way through many positions to quality assurance management, as well as serving on an "Aircraft on Ground" team that allowed him to travel the world for his job.
Prior to retirement, Ed was part of the team that developed and launched the 777 airplane, what he always considered his proudest professional achievement.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Ed served as an aviation mechanic on multiple carriers during the Korean War. This experience led directly to further training as a civilian in Detroit, and eventually, his job with Boeing. During his time back home, he met Phyllis Bonham, also from Royal Oak. Ed and Phyllis were married for 58 years.
A three-sport athlete in high school at The Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Ed never lost his love of sports, coaching both of his children on multiple teams, and avidly supporting his grandchildren in any venue, at any level, always with passion. He was an active (and vocal) fan of the Mariners, Seahawks and Kraken.
Our dad's renowned sense of humor was with him until the end. He never failed to make his grandkids laugh, was a man of a million jokes, and always had an old song lyric ready to sing that fit any situation—sometimes better than others, but that never stopped him. His storytelling and his generosity will be deeply missed by everyone in his family.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis (2021), as well as brother Ray Stanford and sister Kay Crossman. He is survived by his daughter Sue Rauda (Sig); son Mike Stanford (Kelly); and grandchildren Evan and Nate Rauda and Molly and Owen Stanford.
At Ed's request, no services are planned. He made it clear to his family that he'd "rather have you do something fun."
