Charles Wilson Staniland

On August 1, 2026, Charles Wilson Staniland, took his forever seat in the big dugout in the sky. Better known as Buster, or Coach to many, we imagine him stepping onto the most beautiful baseball field imaginable with Jesus- where the sun is always shining, the grass is always green, and every game is played with pure joy. Buster was born on July 29, 1935, in Providence, Rhode Island to Cecil and Viola Staniland, who had arrived in Ellis Island from Sheffield, England in 1926. He lived a very full, and extraordinary life. Baseball became his passion at a young age, but he would later recount that his greatest accomplishment was his family.

Buster was the eldest brother to Richard and sister, Mary (Arnold). A master storyteller, intricate details were told about a hurried cross-country trip after WWII, to California to make a new life with his family. The early days of Oxnard became the foundation of a Staniland legacy. During high school, he met his first love, Peggy Mitchell, who was a driving force for his life, career and family. They married young on a St. Louis Cardinal minor league baseball field in Ardmore, Oklahoma, under a canopy of baseball bats. During the following dozen years in professional baseball, they happily welcomed son, Steve, and daughters, Charlene and Kathy. Baseball was life, but there were many more details to come.

Life had thrown many pitches, including laying down his catcher’s glove and going to work as a successful General Manager with the Thrifty corporation for thirty years. He taught all his kids how to serve ice cream, and most importantly, how to serve people. He challenged his family to work hard, to be the best and to never give up. As an avid supporter of Santa Clara High School, where all 3 of his children went to school, he made lifelong friends, and admired his mentor, Lou Cvijanovich. He also spent over 20 years coaching countless players at both Oxnard College, and Ventura Junior College. He later married Liana Rogich, and spent his remaining years with her at Oxnard Shores. Today, he rests after a game well played.

We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to Assisted Home Health & Hospice and Varenita Simi Valley. They are truly exceptional in every way.

Charles is survived by Liana; his three children, their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Event will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 4:00pm, at the Ventura College Baseball ‘Field of Dreams’. Please join us as we share stories, memories and one more sunset on the field.