Mill Creek — Services for W. Dale Stone, "Your Friend for Life," will be held 2 p.m.



Wednesday, January 5, 2011, in the Centennial Chapel of Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory with Reverend Roger Wood and Charles Tate officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Ardmore.



The son of W.A. and Martha Stone, W. Dale was born March 2, 1926, on the old home place, in Byars, Oklahoma, and passed away at his residence in Oklahoma City on January 1, 2011. He was 84.



He and Jo LeVally were married May 25, 1947, in Maysville and had two sons, Dennis and Scott.



Before college, W. Dale served the United States Navy in World War II. During his college days at East Central University he became the pastor of the Fitzhugh Methodist Church and helped rebuild the church after it burned. Upon graduation from college, W. Dale became a District Boy Scout Executive for the Arbuckle Area Council and then with the Adobe Walls Council in Pampa, Texas. He and wife, Jo, returned to Ardmore in 1959 and began his long career in the life insurance business. His insurance career was marked with much success and awards. In 1985, he formed Stone Tours and for many years took music fans on bus trips to Nashville and Branson.



He was very active in civic affairs serving as President of the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce in 1968 when Uniroyal decided to build their tire plant in Ardmore and also served as United Way President and Fund Drive chairman. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club having served as its president. W. Dale was both a Mason and a Shriner and enjoyed the fellowship of many friends in the Ardmore Shrine Sunny Siders motorcycle club as they appeared in parades across the area. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Ardmore.



W. Dale was a longtime member of Arbuckle Area Council Executive Board of Directors where he exhibited a passion for Scouting and the effect it had on young men's lives. He was awarded the Silver Beaver BSA Award in 1969 and continued his service in many areas of Scouting, finally retiring as the "Popcorn Colonel" of the annual Scouting fund drive just four years ago.



He was an avid country music fan, enjoying singing along with his favorite artists. He enjoyed western art and collected paintings, bronzes and other western memorabilia.



Survivors include sons, Dennis Stone and wife, Kim of Norman, Okla., and Scott Stone and wife, Joan of Edmond, Okla.; granddaughter, Amanda Bowen and husband, Cole of Edmond, Okla.; granddaughter, Megan Stone of Edmond; a sister, Laveta Simpson of Oklahoma City; a brother, George Stone and wife, Maskell of Purcell; and a host of other friends and relatives.



He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo, who died in 1974; and five brothers and sisters.



Pallbearers will be Kenny Brecht, Brett Matherly, Steve Newton, Mike Reding, Bud Webb and Jon Webb.



Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Ledbetter, Jim Miller and Ernie Lovell.



A time of visitation and reminiscing with the family will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to funeral services.



Memorials may be made to the W. Dale and Jo Stone Eagle Scout Memorial Fund, Arbuckle Area Council, BSA, P.O. Box 5309, Ardmore, OK 73403. This memorial fund has provided the Eagle medals and awards for all Scouts earning the rank of Eagle in Arbuckle Area Council since 1974.