Howard Stanley

Howard Lenier Stanley, known to his family and friends as Pete, passed away at his home attended by family, October 7, 2016 at the age of 86, from complications of cancer. He was born in Hot Springs, Virginia, June 16, 1930 to Alice Kimball. He married Winona Willyne Smith March 23, 1953 in Carlsbad, New Mexico and became step-father to Roy Wilson and Vicki Quinn. They had three children; Mark Stanley, Mara Kerr, and Zo Ann Stanley. He has 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Willyne preceded Pete in death in 1997. Pete married Elvia Quintero October 15, 2015. Elvia is supported in this time of loss by her children Blanca Poblador, Bridget Poblador, and Marta (Chris) Kennedy and her 2 grandchildren. Pete was a decorated airman who had a 20 year career in the Air Force with the Strategic Air Command. During his career, Pete was assigned to the 509th, 6th, and 72nd Bomb Wings. He was directly involved in the operational acceptance of the Boeing B52 Bomber. He deployed on the first mission of the B52 in the South East Asia theater, to prepare for the maintenance of the B52 once it became deployed to operations during the Vietnam conflict. He retired from the Air Force and built a successful Hotel and Restaurant business with his wife Willyne in Puerto Rico. Pete held a Master of Science degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Gerontology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology. He was a lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A visitation will be held Friday, October 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m with a funeral service Saturday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m., all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home; service to be followed by a celebration of Pete’s life at the Ocean Springs Elks Lodge. Burial will be October 22, 2016 at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Las Cruces, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Ocean Springs Elks Lodge.