William J. Stinson III

In Loving Memory of William J. Stinson III


2/2/45 – 1/8/26

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of William (Bill) J. Stinson III, who departed this life on January 8, 2026 at the age of 80. He was born on February 2, 1945 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where his father, William Jr., was working as an engineer for the Manhattan Project during WWII.

His birth in the middle of our emerging nuclear program may have been prophetic. He had an energy level not many possess and was always thinking, and working, towards his next achievement. He was often the life of the party and was known for his intelligence and razor-sharp wit, along with an impressive mental library of jokes.

Bill received an agronomy degree from the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts and, later in life, while working, he also managed to go back to school and receive his business degree from Otterbein College in central Ohio. He had a long career in the turf business, starting on golf courses in the Rochester, NY area as a high schooler, through college as a night waterman at Skaneateles Country Club in the mid- 60s, and into prominent roles at the O.M. Scotts Co. and LESCO, culminating with his own companies, Turfkeeper, Inc. and Shamrock, where he introduced products such as Verti-Drain and The Speed Roller to Northeast and national markets. During the first three years of his marriage with Janet, he was in Army Intelligence, stationed at Fort Devens in Leominster, MA.

For the last 30 years of his life, he lived in an old farmhouse up above the western shore of Skaneateles Lake, where his family has had roots for generations and had started the Stinson Boat Line in the 1940s, delivering US Mail to the cottages up and down the lake. His love of family history and the lake led to his enthusiastic participation in the Skaneateles Historical Society. He particularly loved the old ‘woodies’ and would tell his grandchildren about learning to water ski behind a Chris-Craft back in the 1950s.

Bill is survived by Janet Stinson (McMullen), with whom he was happily married for over 57 years. He is also survived by three sons; William IV (Susan) of Pittsford, NY, Charles Stinson (Jessica) of Clinton, SC, and Thomas Stinson (Karen), of Albany, NY. Also, six grandchildren; Jack (Rylie) Stinson, Ryan Stinson, Katherine (Avery) Terroso, Hayden Stinson, Cooper Stinson, and Riley Stinson. He was also proud to have his first great- grandchild, JJ Stinson, who inherited his great-grandfather’s curly hair. Bill is predeceased by his parents William Jr. and Ida Stinson (Holmes) and sisters Maura, Anne, Rosellen, Rita, and Helene. He is survived by his sisters Patricia, Yvonne, and Marjorie, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews who knew him as ‘Uncle Billy’.

A memorial service will be held on February 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church in Owasco, NY.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, a contribution be made to the Skaneateles Historical Society.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

To leave condolences, please visit robertdgrayfuneral.com.