William P. "Bill" Stafford, 89, of Princeton died Friday, March 17, 2023, at his residence. Born August 3, 1933, in Princeton, he was the son of the late Elbert L and Willie Waddell Stafford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Ann Hunnicutt "Dink" Stafford; a son, Luther P. "Luke" Stafford; a grandson, Joseph H. "Jake" Stafford, II; and three siblings, Phyllis D. Stafford, Jack D. Stafford, and G. Michael Stafford. He is survived by sons, William P. Stafford, II and wife Pam; Joseph H. Stafford and wife Stephanie; and four grandchildren, Sarah A. Stafford, Abigail L Stafford, Emily E. Stafford, and W. Perry Stafford, III and wife Kayla. Bill was a 1952 graduate of Princeton High School. Following High School, he studied dye and toolmaking at the US Naval Ordnance Laboratory and the US Naval Gun Factory, where he completed a four-year apprenticeship and was certified as a journeyman machinist. He was a lifelong member of First Methodist Church of Princeton. Bill founded Princeton Machinery Service Inc. and retired as president and chairman. He was the retired chairman of First Community Bankshares, Inc., president of the H. P. and Anne S. Hunnicutt Foundation, president of Melrose Enterprises, Ltd., and the principal of Stafford Farms, LLC. He served for 17 years as a Commissioner of the WV Department of Natural Resources and as a Member of the House of Delegates in the WV Legislature. He served on countless other county and state government boards and commissions and numerous charitable organizations. Bill previously held both private and commercial aircraft pilot licenses and immensely enjoyed flying. He was a 53-year member of Concord Lodge No. 48 A.F. & A.M. and the Beni Kedem Shrine. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and held life-long interests in wildlife preservation, agriculture, horticulture, and Saddlebred horses. A service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at First Methodist Church in Princeton, with Pastor Tom McDowell officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 22 from 5 until 8 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton. Will Stafford, Joe Stafford, Perry Stafford, Buddy Kinser, Rusty Sarver, Adam Sarver, John Stafford, and Justin Stafford will serve as pallbearers, along with Jim Sarver and Scott Blankenship as honorary pallbearers. Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com . The Stafford family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.