Stephen William Waple's Obituary
Stephen William Waple, 78, of Stafford, passed away on July 19, 2021. He was born on October 16, 1942 and raised in Silver Spring, MD.
Stephen was a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School, and attended Montgomery Junior College. He served in the US Army military intelligence for six years including tours in Sinop, Turkey and Bangkok, Thailand where he met and married his devoted wife, Patcharee, who lovingly cared for him through his final days. After being honorably discharged from the military, Stephen retired from the US Patent Office.
He was a die hard Redskins fan and had season tickets for many years and later showed the same kind of devotion for the Nationals. Stephen bragged to anyone that would listen that he was once Joe Gibbs’ limo driver and would pull out the photo he kept in his wallet of the two of them. His autographed photos of Charles Mann, Darryl Green and several other old timers were his prized possessions.
Stephen helped anyone and everyone. If you were moving, he’d be there with a truck before you had a chance to ask. If you needed a car repaired, he would be turning wrenches with you. He organized work softball and football teams and managed bowling leagues. Stephen donated to every charity, fire station, and police department. You name it, he sent them money. He was a friend to all.
Stephen loved ice cream, especially Breyer’s chocolate, bowling, nostalgia, but most of all his family. He loved and was very dedicated to his family. He lived for holidays and family reunions. He enjoyed nothing more than sitting around a table exchanging memories, talking about the good old days.
Stephen is survived by the love of his life, his daughter, Rebecca Sue Machleit (Keith); his siblings, Alan Waple (Sherrill) and Susan Pierce (Bob); his stepdaughters, Konwikar Thongpaithoon, Pawinee Gera (Alok); his five grandchildren – Max and Chase Machleit, Melissa Ngo, Jay and Neal Gera.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Lorraine Hamilton Waple, his parents Karl William Waple and Cornelia Venice Quintavalle, and a brother, David Karl Waple.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 27, 2021 at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle. A Celebration of Life will follow at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant, 1510 Cherryhill Road, Dumfries, VA 22026.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lifepoint Church, (lifepoint.org) 1400 Central Park Blvd. Fredericksburg, VA 22401 or Fisher House Foundation, (fisherhouse.org) 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852.
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