William Ralph “Bill” Stone Jr., 71, of Norwood, N.C., passed away Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at his home on Lake Tillery, while birds (all of which he could identify!) pecked away on bird seed outside his window.
Known as “Buddy” to his high school friends in Alabama, Bill was born on March 29, 1943, in Russellville, Alabama, to Wanita Mixon Stone and William Ralph Stone Sr.
After high school, Bill graduated from Troy State University where he played football and became a lifelong supporter and fan of the Troy Trojans. Every fall he still drove down to see as many Troy games as possible. He also pulled for the University of Alabama and cheers of “Roll Tide” were heard from his hospital room just weeks ago.
Bill spent his career in sales, primarily with Gillette, and later in real estate and land management. Bill loved football, the outdoors, fishing, birds and his beloved bird dog, Allie. He was active in the Friends of the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge. He served on the Planning and Zoning Board for the Town of Norwood. He also served in the National Guard.
A longtime friend said of Bill, “He was a unique, gentle, unpretentious, and thinking person. A very special man! One of reason and logic and humor. I miss you, man. Sleep well, Stoney.”
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mary Cope Stuart Stone.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra Lee Stone, of Norwood; two sisters, Carol Ann Shotts, of Conyers, Georgia, and Nancy June Stone, of Alabaster, Alabama; two daughters, Eve Stone Hall, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, (Jack Hudson) and Susan Stone Drake (Jerry), of Huntersville; and stepchildren, Kelly Hitchner Wilson, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Barry Grant Hitchner Jr. (Jennifer), of Mooresville.
Other survivors include grandchildren, Amelia Elise Wimpee (Clint) and Samuel Stone Hall, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Cameron Stuart Hall (Amy), of Fayetteville, Sarah Elizabeth Drake and William Morris “Will” Drake, of Huntersville, and Jackson Falls Hitchner and Greyson Ross Hitchner, of Mooresville; great- grandchildren, Adrian Stone Hall, of Fayetteville, and Gracelyn Leigh Wimpee, of Hopkinsville; nephews, Stephen Shotts (Tina), of Monroe, Georgia, and Greg Shotts (Melissa), of Elkmont, Alabama; great-niece, Krista Morrison (Max), of Elkmont; and great-nephew, Kolbi Shotts, of Savannah, Georgia; sister-in-law, Jane Lee Watson (Stephen), of Norwood; and many other relatives and friends.
Friends are invited to gather Sunday, Feb. 15, anytime between 1 and 5 p.m. at the home of Jane Lee Watson and Stephen Watson on Lake Tillery, 11015 Willow Oak Road, Norwood, NC 28128.
Bill will be buried in Cedar Tree Cemetery in Hackleburg, Alabama.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Arrangements are in the care of Edwards Funeral Homes, Norwood
