Dr. Walter Stafford

Dr. Walter J. Stafford, son of Minnie Stafford and the late Mitchell D. Stafford, died Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at his home in Puerto Rico. He was 58.

He was born March 21, 1946, in Cape Girardeau. He graduated from Central High School in 1965. He attended the University of Detroit, where he received a bachelor of science degree in economics and political science. He later received master's and doctorate degrees from Montpellier College in Maine.

Dr. Stafford taught business classes at Detroit Business Institute 10 years. He was then promoted to become the institute's director of education, a position he held five years. At the time of his death, Dr. Stafford was a professor at Keiser College in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

He is survived by his mother, Minnie; four sisters, Ann Shares and Regina Jones, all of Cape Girardeau, Viola Stafford of St. Louis, Denise Warren of Overland Park, Kan.; five brothers, James of Viera, Fla., Bill and Eugene of Detroit, Joseph of Cebu City, Philippines, and Ben of Jackson.

His father, Mitchell; and brothers Lindsey, John and Mitchell Jr., preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home. Ben Stafford will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.