William “Will” Rockefeller Stanton, 73, passed away peacefully in his Lobachsville home on July 30, after a nearly 18-year battle with the debilitating disease ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The only son and older brother of four sisters, Will was born to the late Paul and Charlotte (Rockefeller) Stanton on August 25, 1944 in Sunbury, PA.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Nancy (Lutz) Stanton, Lobachsville, and his daughter Miranda, King of Prussia. Also surviving are his four sisters: Elizabeth Stanton, Breinigsville; Carol Stanton, Fleetwood; Anne Gerber, Coopersburg; and Lainey Stanton, Galen Hall; his nieces Delia Lutz, Pennside, Annika Lutz, Philadelphia, Heather Unruh, Utah; and his nephews Paul Stanton, Las Vegas, and Adam Cubbler, Philadelphia. He was pre-deceased by his daughter, Lauren, and brother-in-law, Brian Lutz.

Will was robust and gregarious, rugged, articulate, opinionated, obstinate, gruff and witty. Irish to the core, this proud Marine, rabid Eagles fan, and quintessential man’s man loved to discuss and debate any number of subjects. He could talk, although subject to the occasional rant, but he was a good listener too, and consequently a life-long learner and absorber of fresh ideas.

Will was a deeply thoughtful, creative, perceptive and sensitive man with no patience for bigotry and narrow-mindedness. He left little doubt about his thoughts on subjects that mattered to him, like politics, films, Twin Peaks or the corporate appropriation of water in the Oley Valley. He was passionately loyal to and interested in his family and friends.

An accomplished filmmaker, photographer, traveler and writer, Will devoured books and espoused progressive political and social ideas. He recently published a book titled Corazon: From the Heart of Latin America, about his journey through Mexico, Central America, and the Andes, and included many photographs he took during his travels. He rarely missed an independent or foreign film when it came to town.

One of the cruel ironies of ALS for Will is that it slowly and perniciously robbed this person who used words so well of his ability to communicate. He scorned sentimentality and yet he seized every opportunity to gush as best he could about Nancy, as she lovingly and selflessly cared for him and became his voice and interpreter to the world beyond them. To the end, he was profoundly grateful to the Lebanon VA for their treatment, expertise and humanity in helping him progress through this unforgiving disease.

Will graduated from Reading Central Catholic High School in 1962, after briefly attending St. Vincent Preparatory School in Latrobe, PA. He then attended the University of Vermont in Burlington. Will joined the Marines in 1966, serving for three years, including a tour in the Dominican Republic. He was honorably discharged after his father’s untimely death.

Will returned to school and received a Bachelors degree in Economics from Temple University and a Masters degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts. After graduation, Will lived in both Maine and Boston before returning to Berks County in 1981 to be close to his family, particularly his daughter Lauren.

In 1982, Will started Main Point Productions, a film and video company. He was introduced to Nancy through a mutual friend in 1983, and she began working with Will the following year. They were married in 1985 and lived on Douglass Street in Reading before moving to Lobachsville in 1990, after converting the barn on that property into a studio to house Main Point Productions. Main Point served Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, financial institutions, non-profits and private individuals, on subjects ranging from new technologies to environmental issues, drug and alcohol addiction, to the impact of war. Will was writer, producer and sometimes even carried the camera to create stories. Nancy was his technical and editorial sidekick.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Will’s name to the ALS Association www.alsa.org/donate

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.