William Layton Stewart (90) passed away at home in Kirkwood on June 19th, 2022. Layton was the only child born (October 10, 1931) of the late St. Louis County Councilman Maurice L. and Verna Stewart. Dearest husband for 63 years of Marilyn (nee McGinty); Dearest father of Stephen L., Andrew M. (Lynn), and Stacey A. Stewart and Debbi Brake; Dearest grandfather of John, Jane, Charles, and Margaret Stewart. Dearest brother-in-law of Marjorie Kilpatrick, Maureen McGinty, Sally (late John) McGinty, Melanie (Gary) Tate, Melinda (Dick Moore) McGrath; Dearest uncle of David (Anna) Nunn, Jeff Nunn, John McGinty, Sarah (Terry) London, Bill (Feryal) McGinty, Ryan (Justina) Tate, Amanda (Ross) Braun; Dear friend to many.
A life-long St. Louisan, Layton graduated from Cleveland High School and became a proud TKE brother at Washington University (’53 business & ’57 law). In between programs, he served as an officer in the Finance Corps of the US Army. Layton practiced law downtown from 1957-2020 and practiced law from home until last week.
He was a long-time member and former Chairman of the Board of Webster Groves Christian Church. He was a 57-year member at Algonquin Golf Club, a 30+ year member at Missouri Athletic Club, and a former member of the Noonday Club. Layton especially enjoyed serving as counsel to countless friends and clients for decades and was always on call as a trusted advisor. He loved his lunches, tennis, fishing, traveling, and reading. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and loved the large McGinty family he acquired through marriage on December 20, 1958.
Special thanks to “Queen” Victoria (aka “Moe”) and her Royalty Healthcare staff of Kanitra, Rachel, and Shirley for their loving care over the past 14 months. Visitation at 3pm followed by a Memorial Service at 3:30pm Thursday June 30, at Webster Groves Christian Church on Lockwood. Reception to follow at Algonquin Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions encouraged to The AGC Employee Educational Foundation, 1398 Beverly Ave., Glendale, Missouri 63122 (agcedfound@gmail.com) or to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.