Stan Cadwallader is a former Honolulu firefighter best known as the husband of actor and singer Jim Nabors. Their relationship began in 1975, long before their January 2013 wedding in Seattle. By then, they had spent 38 years together, sharing a life in Hawaii while Nabors remained familiar to audiences as television’s Gomer Pyle. Cadwallader also worked for Nabors, handling his business affairs. The story of their marriage brings together a longstanding partnership, the changing legal recognition of same-sex couples, and the life they built beyond the television roles that made Nabors famous.
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Name | Stan Cadwallader |
| Occupation | Former Honolulu firefighter; later handled Jim Nabors’ business affairs |
| Spouse | Jim Nabors, actor and singer |
| Relationship began | 1975 |
| Wedding date | January 15, 2013 |
| Wedding location | Seattle, Washington |
| Shared home | Honolulu, Hawaii |
From Firefighting to a Life With Jim Nabors
Cadwallader was working as a firefighter in Honolulu when he met Nabors in 1975. He eventually went to work for the entertainer and took responsibility for his business affairs. Their connection therefore included both a personal partnership and a working relationship.
Nabors described Cadwallader as his “best friend” in a 2013 interview. That description helps explain Cadwallader’s place in his life: he was a trusted companion as well as someone involved in the practical responsibilities surrounding an entertainment career.
By the time they met, Nabors had already become a television star. His Gomer Pyle character first appeared on The Andy Griffith Show before becoming the lead in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., which ran from 1964 to 1969. Nabors also developed a singing career, performing with a rich baritone voice quite different from Gomer’s familiar speaking voice.
Their Seattle Wedding After 38 Years Together
Cadwallader and Nabors married on January 15, 2013, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle. A judge conducted the ceremony privately in their hotel room. Nabors was 82 at the time.
The couple traveled from Honolulu specifically for the wedding. Nabors explained that he chose Washington because he did not want to travel too far from their home in Hawaii. The ceremony was small, reflecting his preference to treat the marriage as a personal occasion.
For Nabors, the wedding gave formal recognition to a commitment that already existed. He explained that getting married did not change their relationship. They had made their vows to one another decades earlier; the new step was making that partnership a legal marriage.
Why They Married in Washington
Washington’s same-sex marriage law took effect on December 6, 2012, following voters’ approval of Referendum 74. That change allowed Cadwallader and Nabors to marry there the following month.
Hawaii, where they lived, did not begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples until December 2, 2013. Their trip to Seattle therefore took place during a period when access to marriage depended on the state. The destination had a practical purpose: Washington offered a marriage they could not yet enter into at home.
How Nabors Explained Their Privacy
When discussing the wedding, Nabors said friends and colleagues had known he was gay. He had simply kept the subject out of media interviews. He described his relationship as “such a personal thing” and said he was happy for people to know about the marriage.
He also declined to present himself as an activist or join the marriage debate. His comments centered on the freedom to choose a life partner and his happiness with Cadwallader. The announcement was his own account of their relationship, shared after the ceremony.
Hawaii as Home
Nabors moved to Hawaii in 1976, a year after meeting Cadwallader. His connection to the islands extended beyond their Honolulu home. He bought a macadamia nut and flower farm in Hana, Maui, and continued performing in Hawaii, including an annual Christmas production at Hawaii Theatre that ran for ten years through 2006.
His work also continued to take him to the mainland. One of his most recognizable appearances was singing “Back Home Again in Indiana” before the Indianapolis 500. He performed the song at the race 36 times between 1972 and 2014, making the journey from Hawaii during much of that period.
Jim Nabors’ Death and the Memorial Cadwallader Attended
Jim Nabors died at his Honolulu home on November 30, 2017, aged 87. Cadwallader was by his side. He explained that Nabors’ health had been declining during the preceding year.
In January 2018, about 200 friends and loved ones gathered at the Pacific Club in Honolulu for a memorial. Cadwallader told those attending that Nabors had helped plan the service before his death, choosing people to include and songs to perform.
Cadwallader also recalled how his husband ended his shows by thanking audiences for making his impossible dream come true. A video of Nabors singing “The Impossible Dream” followed. The service closed with “Taps,” a fitting tribute to an entertainer who had become an honorary U.S. Marine in 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Stan Cadwallader?
Stan Cadwallader is Jim Nabors’ widower. He worked as a Honolulu firefighter before later handling the actor and singer’s business affairs.
How old was Stan Cadwallader when he married Jim Nabors?
Cadwallader was 64 when they married in January 2013. Nabors was 82.
How long were Stan Cadwallader and Jim Nabors married?
They were legally married for approximately four years and ten months, from January 15, 2013, until Nabors’ death on November 30, 2017. Their relationship had begun in 1975.
Who witnessed their wedding?
Two friends from their Honolulu neighborhood near Diamond Head attended as witnesses. A judge performed the ceremony in the couple’s Seattle hotel room.
Conclusion
Stan Cadwallader’s story is closely connected to the home, work, and personal life he shared with Jim Nabors. Their Seattle wedding formally recognized a decades-long partnership, while Cadwallader’s recollections at the memorial preserved a personal view of the beloved entertainer.
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