William "Bill" Oscar Stone, Jr.

William O. Stone, Jr. (Bill), a resident of 316 Dogwood Drive in Eden, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, April 12. He was born on November 26, 1932, in Newberry, South Carolina, to William O. Stone, Sr., and Lucille Kinard Stone.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Eden, situated at 533 Greenwood St., on Thursday, April 17, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will commence an hour prior to the ceremony. Following the service, Bill will be laid to rest at Ridgeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Eden or Ancora Compassionate Care.

Growing up in Newberry, Bill attended Newberry High School, where he held the position of student body president, was selected to All State, and was voted Mr. Senior, Best All Around, and Most Dependable in his class. He was also a member of the football and track teams.

Following high school, Bill pursued his education at Clemson University, where he majored in Textile Chemistry and graduated with honors. After graduating from Clemson, he earned a master’s degree in Textile Science from the Institute of Textile Technology in Charlottesville, Virginia. Additionally, he completed the executive programs at both the University of Richmond and the University of North Carolina.

Around the time Bill began working for Fieldcrest Mills in Draper in 1958, he met his future wife, Barbara Earles, when they were paired as dance partners in the Follies. After their marriage in 1959, Bill continued working in the Eden area for three years before transferring to Fieldale, Virginia, to work at the towel mill.

During his tenure in Fieldale, he served as a director of Virginia National Bank and became a member of the Fieldale Baptist Church with Barbara. Together, they raised their two children, and Bill actively participated as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

In 1976, Bill was transferred back to Eden to take over the management of Karastan Rug Mill. He and his family attended First Baptist Church of Eden, where he once again served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Bill actively participated in various community boards, including the RCC Foundation, Martinsville Hospital, and NCNB, Eden. He also served as a trustee at Morehead Memorial Hospital, the director of Eden YMCA, the president of the Rotary Club, Eden, and the District Governor for Rotary International. Eventually, Bill was transferred to the General Offices, where he held the position of Corporate Vice President over Fieldcrest and Cannon’s manufacturing. After 34 years of dedicated service with Fieldcrest, Bill retired.

After retiring, Bill’s interests expanded from international travel and consulting to woodworking and golfing with friends at the beach. He actively participated in community service, serving on the board of Hospice in Rockingham County and as the Vice President of Habitat for Humanity.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jean Gayle of Greenville, South Carolina. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Barbara Earles Stone of Eden, North Carolina; their daughter, Melanie Stone Acton (James) of Belmont, North Carolina; their son, Marc Stone of Greensboro, North Carolina; their granddaughters, Lindsay Acton Zhao (Jing) of Fort Mill, South Carolina; Lauren Acton Leutz (Weston) of Euless, Texas; Erin Acton Green (Daniel) of Gainesville, Florida; and their great-grandsons, Wade Zhao and Luke Zhao of Fort Mill, South Carolina, as well as their great-granddaughter, Josie Leutz of Euless, Texas.

Bill will be deeply missed and cherished by his family and friends. He leaves behind an indelible legacy of strong morals, unwavering faith, unending dedication, respect, and compassion.