Sterling was born in 1948 to James and Shirley Embrey. He lived in Waterloo, NE, and graduated from Waterloo High School.

On After high school, Sterling served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1972, during the Vietnam Era. Sterling was employed as an Air Traffic Controller at Eppley Airfield. He served his community on the Waterloo Village Board and was an active member of the Waterloo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department when he was killed in the line of duty in a rescue squad train accident on July 12, 1979.

Sterling was survived by his wife, Sheryl, and son, Wes. He was also survived by one sister, Connie, and two brothers, Thomas and John.