The family of Willie Leon Stone rejoices as he has passed on to receive his Heavenly reward. He died peacefully in his sleep July 18, 2024. Please join us to celebrate his very full, wonderful life at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, MS July 30, 2024. Visitation begins at Noon with the service beginning at 2:00 PM.
Willie’s family moved from Arp, TN to Memphis. He graduated from Southside High School where he participated in shop, varsity football and ROTC. ROTC Company B of which he was Captain, received Best Drill Company of the Year. He served his country in the Army in the Korean War. After 25 years he retired from the Memphis Fire Department as a lieutenant, then he became a truck driver known as “Wish Book Willie.” For fifty years he was member of the Masonic Lodge, O.K. Houck and Unity Lodge 95.
Willie was the last surviving member of his family. He was preceded in death by parents Robbie Cleo and James Kilpatrick Stone, brother James Edward and sisters Anna Sue and Barbara JoAnn. The love of his life, Nancy Carol Wyatt Stone, with whom he was married for 58 years also preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving daughters, Debbie DeRosa (Tom), Terri Locke (David), Lisa Price (Lindsey) and Rhonda Solberg (Ronnie), his twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He worshipped as a born again, baptized believer at Pleasant Hill. His greatest desire was to bring others to Christ. Memorials should be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
