Obituary for Billy "Beaver" Kyle Stoots
Billy Kyle “Beaver” Stoots, 79, of Bristol, Virginia, went home to be with the Lord, with a smile on his face and his family by his side on Monday (October 24, 2022). Born May 21, 1943 in Lebanon, Virginia, he was a son of the late Gent and Viola Estelle Warner Stoots. Beaver was a people person, never met a stranger and was always willing to take time to build friendships with those he came in contact with. On June 25, 1966, he earned a diploma from the National School of Meat Cutting, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio. He paired the art of cutting meat with the ability to show himself friendly and became the smiling face in the meat department of Piggly Wiggly and Food City stores that everyone looked forward to seeing. Later in his career he became co-owner and president of H & S Brokerage.
Bill Stoots loved the Lord. He was a devoted Christian and a member of Spring City Baptist Church and the Gospelites Quartet. Jude 22-24 described how he lived his life. And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. He not only gave his heart to Jesus Christ, but he had a great desire to see others saved as well. He read the Bible all the way through many times and shared his faith with those he met, both in word and deed. He devoted over sixty years of his life to fire service with the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department. For his faithfulness, he was awarded the Millard C. “Red” Kiser Award on November 27, 2009. He would give the shirt off his back if it meant it helped someone else in any way. He set a precedent for generations to follow through his example of leadership, dedication and hard work.
Beaver was very civic minded and had a desire to make a difference in his community. He served on the Lebanon Town Council from May 8, 1980 until August 31, 1984. Although, he was known as a democrat, he had a genuine love for all people, regardless of their political stand, but certainly enjoyed a good political conversation or a day spent at the polls on Election Day.
He was also an avid sports fan. He enjoyed pulling for Tennessee Vols Football, New York Yankees baseball, Emory and Henry basketball and enjoyed NASCAR racing and fishing. Golf was also a passion. He had the first ever hole-in-one at Dandridge Country Club (125 yards on hole #2). He used a seven iron and Tim Arnold, Clay Jones and Mark Watkins were witness to this accomplishment. He also coached and managed the Green Giants Softball team.
He was a true gentleman and a shining light. Even through the most difficult times, he found positivity and added humor every step of the way. He was a devoted husband and a wonderful father. He was always bragging about Debora’s beauty and successes. His years of hard work were a demonstration of love and devotion to Diana and Debora’s happiness.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, “Buddy” Gent Stoots, Jr. and Jimmy Stoots and one sister, Gaynell Stoots.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Diana Osborne Stoots; daughter, Debora Stoots Ransom and husband, Ellis; brothers, Bobby Gene Stoots and wife, Barbara and Harry Lee “Butch” Stoots and wife, Sharon; sister-in-law, Nancy Stoots and several nieces and nephews and a host of very special friends.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Heart Failure Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, CVA Heart Institute of Bristol, especially Dr. Istafan and Ashley, Dr. Ernest Henry, Dr. Andrew French, Dr. Mark Copas and Castlewood Dental Group, Debbie McGlothlin, Steve Smith, Dennis and Anna Jones, Pam Murray, CARIS Healthcare and Hospice, nurses Miranda, Ashley, Courtney and Lynn and the staff of Honaker Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Saturday at Spring City Baptist Church with Rev. Nathan Brown, Rev. Mark Hill, Rev. Brad Cook, Rick Thompson and Rev. Scott Suttle officiating. Entombment will follow in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Lebanon, Virginia. The Rite of Last Call will be provided by Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department.
Pallbearers will be Ellis Ransom, Mike Dishner, Penny Whited Farmer and his nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Smith, John Edd Wampler, Clay Jones, Steve Holloway, Jamie Tignor, Tim Arnold, Johnny Stout, Bill Cody, Phillip Puckett, Randy Williams, Smokey Fields, Jr. Clark, Lew Taylor, L.C. Clawon, Food City Meat Supervisors, Members of Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, Tommy Murry, Steve Foster, Fred Jessee, H.C. Burton, Ben Thompson, all men of Spring City Baptist Church, Ronnie Rose, Gary Trout, Gary Farmer and men of Calvary Bible Church, Jim Caudill, Dawson Townsend, Eddie Collins, Will Crusenberry, Randy Deel and Dennis Jones.
The family will receive friends at Spring City Baptist Church Friday from 5 PM until 9 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following: LVFD, P.O. Drawer 309, Lebanon, VA 24266
Soup for the Soul 19872 Benhams Road Bristol, Virginia 24202
Cleveland Clinic Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute 9500 Euclid Ave J. Building Cleveland, Ohio 44195
Spring City Baptist Church, 385 Spring City Road, Cleveland, Virginia 24225.
Bill Stoots loved the Lord. He was a devoted Christian and a member of Spring City Baptist Church and the Gospelites Quartet. Jude 22-24 described how he lived his life. And of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. He not only gave his heart to Jesus Christ, but he had a great desire to see others saved as well. He read the Bible all the way through many times and shared his faith with those he met, both in word and deed. He devoted over sixty years of his life to fire service with the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department. For his faithfulness, he was awarded the Millard C. “Red” Kiser Award on November 27, 2009. He would give the shirt off his back if it meant it helped someone else in any way. He set a precedent for generations to follow through his example of leadership, dedication and hard work.
Beaver was very civic minded and had a desire to make a difference in his community. He served on the Lebanon Town Council from May 8, 1980 until August 31, 1984. Although, he was known as a democrat, he had a genuine love for all people, regardless of their political stand, but certainly enjoyed a good political conversation or a day spent at the polls on Election Day.
He was also an avid sports fan. He enjoyed pulling for Tennessee Vols Football, New York Yankees baseball, Emory and Henry basketball and enjoyed NASCAR racing and fishing. Golf was also a passion. He had the first ever hole-in-one at Dandridge Country Club (125 yards on hole #2). He used a seven iron and Tim Arnold, Clay Jones and Mark Watkins were witness to this accomplishment. He also coached and managed the Green Giants Softball team.
He was a true gentleman and a shining light. Even through the most difficult times, he found positivity and added humor every step of the way. He was a devoted husband and a wonderful father. He was always bragging about Debora’s beauty and successes. His years of hard work were a demonstration of love and devotion to Diana and Debora’s happiness.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, “Buddy” Gent Stoots, Jr. and Jimmy Stoots and one sister, Gaynell Stoots.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Diana Osborne Stoots; daughter, Debora Stoots Ransom and husband, Ellis; brothers, Bobby Gene Stoots and wife, Barbara and Harry Lee “Butch” Stoots and wife, Sharon; sister-in-law, Nancy Stoots and several nieces and nephews and a host of very special friends.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Heart Failure Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, CVA Heart Institute of Bristol, especially Dr. Istafan and Ashley, Dr. Ernest Henry, Dr. Andrew French, Dr. Mark Copas and Castlewood Dental Group, Debbie McGlothlin, Steve Smith, Dennis and Anna Jones, Pam Murray, CARIS Healthcare and Hospice, nurses Miranda, Ashley, Courtney and Lynn and the staff of Honaker Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 PM Saturday at Spring City Baptist Church with Rev. Nathan Brown, Rev. Mark Hill, Rev. Brad Cook, Rick Thompson and Rev. Scott Suttle officiating. Entombment will follow in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Lebanon, Virginia. The Rite of Last Call will be provided by Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department.
Pallbearers will be Ellis Ransom, Mike Dishner, Penny Whited Farmer and his nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Smith, John Edd Wampler, Clay Jones, Steve Holloway, Jamie Tignor, Tim Arnold, Johnny Stout, Bill Cody, Phillip Puckett, Randy Williams, Smokey Fields, Jr. Clark, Lew Taylor, L.C. Clawon, Food City Meat Supervisors, Members of Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department, Tommy Murry, Steve Foster, Fred Jessee, H.C. Burton, Ben Thompson, all men of Spring City Baptist Church, Ronnie Rose, Gary Trout, Gary Farmer and men of Calvary Bible Church, Jim Caudill, Dawson Townsend, Eddie Collins, Will Crusenberry, Randy Deel and Dennis Jones.
The family will receive friends at Spring City Baptist Church Friday from 5 PM until 9 PM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following: LVFD, P.O. Drawer 309, Lebanon, VA 24266
Soup for the Soul 19872 Benhams Road Bristol, Virginia 24202
Cleveland Clinic Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute 9500 Euclid Ave J. Building Cleveland, Ohio 44195
Spring City Baptist Church, 385 Spring City Road, Cleveland, Virginia 24225.