William Henry Stone

A Great Man and a better father.

Colonel William H Stone passed away peacefully at his home on June 12th 2023. He was 88 years old. He was born March 10th 1935 to Henry and Alice Stone in Prattville Alabama during the depression. He is survived by his beautiful wife of 68 years, Barbara Mullen Stone, sister Alice Stone Guerrieri (John), son Steven “Rusty” Stone and son Jeffrey “Randy” Stone (Elvira). Grandchildren Ashley Stone Ryan (Dane), Austin Stone (Chanelle), Haydon Stone, Jacquelin Stone Pottle (Mike), Trevor Stone (Erin), Cameron Stone, Tanner Stone, JJ Proctor (Carmen) along with 13 great grandchildren. Dad was always sure to make sure his family came first.

Dad traveled during summers with the grandkids and his wife where they visited many important historical sites in 48 states of the United States, Canada and Mexico. His dedication to his family will always be treasured. He had a strong love for animals spoiling his three dogs Rascal, Taffy, and most recently Velma. He loved to fish and he loved to hunt. We shared so many days fishing on our boat and spent countless hours in the woods that will never be forgotten.

Dad graduated from Vigor High School in Pritchard AL.in 1952 and then he graduated from the University of West Florida in 1973 with a degree in Computer Science. He joined the National Guard on December 7th 1953 and immediately began classes where he graduated at the top of his class attending Personnel Management courses in 1954. He was then promoted to Corporal and in 1957 promoted to Sgt First Class (FSC) at Fort Sill OK. He then was selected to attend radar school at Fort Monmouth New Jersey. Upon his graduation, he accepted a position as a radar instructor at Fort Sill OK. Again, attending classes, he graduated from missile schooling at Fort Bliss TX in 1958. It is in April of 1960 that he completed officer training school and was quickly promoted to 2nd Lt. A few years later, in 1962, he was transferred to Statesboro GA where he was an ITT specialist for radar bomb scoring. His duties also included instruction in the use of onboard radar to the US Navy. In 1965 he was called upon to transfer to Mare Island to teach 3D radar to Navy Personnel. In 1966, due to his superior performance, he accepted a position with the Air Force as a Technical Representative for Radar Systems at Sembach Germany AFB. After five years overseas he’s again transferred in 1971 and became the Lead technician at the Interior Ballistic Lab at Eglin AFB. Then In 1977, he accepted a position as the program manager for new anti-armor weapons and doubled on occasion as Chief Scientist for the Air Force Armament Lab. In 1980 he is once again called upon to transfer his office to the office of Program Manager for systems development for sensor fused weapons and tactical munitions (SFW). He was then selected in 1984 to be the director in charge of the Millimeter Wave Maverick systems. It was in 1986 that he then transferred to Eglin AFB Air Field office for a specialized program as the head of all projects. Then finally, in 1993 he became the director of US foreign systems programs for air combat training where he retired in 1998 after 37 years of service as a GS 14 and full Colonel.

His combat duties included 1953-1958 711th AAA Bn, 1956-1958 training, 1959-1963 45th division OK NG, 1967-1970 3rd AR Division Frankfurt Germany Army intelligence 3rd and 4th armor divisions. Promoted to Major 1973 and assigned to 361st Civil Affairs Brigade. 1985 promoted to Colonel. 1989 Deputy commander ordered to lead civil military operations for war in Panama. His position put him in charge of all aspects of training incoming Police and judges pertaining to the refuges and assisted new heads of state in the rebuilding of Panama.

The Military schools he attended include: Personnel Mgt Specialists, Radar Repair, Missile and Radar Repair, US Armor school, Army Engineer School, Army Academy of Health Science, Army Institute for Military Assistance, AF Combined Air/Ground Operations School, Command and General Staff College, defense Systems Management College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and War College.

As can be seen- Colonel Stone was a dedicated man to his country and he was no less dedicated to his family. Dad was our “ROCK”. Close friends and all who knew him were fortunate to have him in our lives. He was a brilliant man with a generous heart. He will always remain our hero. May he rest in peace as he served his country and his family to the best of his ability.

There will be a Graveside Service at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida on July the 6th, at 11:30 am. The family welcomes you all to join by meeting them at the Warrington Campus – Olive Baptist Church (The services and the reception will NOT be at this location) at 103 W. Winthrop Ave in Pensacola, Florida at 11:00 am. Everyone will leave by procession at 11:15 am. National Cremation and Burial Society is honored to be able to serve the family in this time of need.

The family also invites you to join in a reception (with dinner) that will follow the services at Barrancas National Cemetery, to be held in the "Philippine Cultural Center." You can find it at 234 West Oakfield Road, in Pensacola, Florida.

En lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the wounded warrior foundation and/or any local VFW in the name of Colonel William Stone.