William Stiles

William "Bill" Douglas Stiles, 75, of Penrose passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2013. He was born in Macon County, North Carolina to the late Claude and Rhoda Stiles. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Harry, John, and Eugene Stiles.
Bill was married for 56 years to his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann. He was the loving father to Debra Milhous and her husband Robert, of Columbia, SC, and Derek Stiles (Natalie), of Mills River, NC. He was a dedicated Papaw to Nathan, Emily, Blake, Brian, and Dylan. He is also survived by sisters Dorothy Cassell and Ruth Grogan and her husband Ray and brother V.C. Stiles and his wife Mary, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Growing up on a farm in Transylvania County, he was the youngest of seven siblings. As the baby of a large family, it was then that he learned (in his own words), "Sharing is not a choice, but a way of life." This attitude was prevalent throughout his lifetime and translated to his military service, law enforcement career, church life, and community.
Perhaps it was during World War II, when Bill attended a military demonstration, that his passion for uniformed service was born. After watching paratroopers jump from airplanes, he returned home and slipped his mother's umbrella out to the outhouse in an attempt to "parachute" from its roof. Thankfully, the umbrella was the only casualty. While he didn't become a paratrooper, he did serve in the US Navel Reserves from 1955 to 1963.
He joined the North Carolina Highway Patrol in 1963. He was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant where he was in charge of patrol operations for Madison, Yancy, Mitchell, and Avery counties. He retired in 1992 with 30 years of service.
He became a Master Mason in 1993 at the Kedron Lodge No. 387 and later transferred to Dunns Rock Lodge No. 267. He loved and understood the brotherhood of the fraternal organization of the Freemasons and played a part in raising more gentlemen into the brotherhood.
After his retirement, Bill and Betty built their dream home in Penrose where he enjoyed his catfish pond and carpentry workshop. He spent his last twenty-one years being a nurturing Papaw to his grandchildren, traveling the US with Betty in their RV, and helping countless friends and relatives with building projects. He was an active member of Little River Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, committee member, videographer, and missionary on several outreach trips. He was also a member of the Transylvania County Baptist Association Committee and served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Little River Democratic Precinct.
It is an indisputable fact that Bill Stiles lived a full and honorable life. His fingerprint will be evident for generations to come as we remember him as a man of faith, servitude, and integrity.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the church prior to the service. A funeral service in celebration of his life will be held 3:00 PM, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Little River Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Farmer and Rev. Jeff Maynard officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory with full Highway Patrol Honors by the NC State Highway Patrol, Troop G Honor Guard. .

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Little River Baptist Church at 51 Little River Rd. Penrose, NC 28766 or to the Masonic Home for Children via the Dunn's Rock Masonic Lodge at 174 E. Main St. Brevard, NC 28712.

To leave a condolence for the Stiles family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services is caring for the family.