Born in Masury, Ohio, Stafford received a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1956.

He was State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit Court of Florida from 1967 to 1969.

He was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida from 1969 to 1975.

[2] Stafford was nominated by President Gerald Ford on April 18, 1975, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida vacated by Judge David Lycurgus Middlebrooks Jr.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 12, 1975, and received his commission on May 14, 1975.