William “Bill” Murray Stokes, Sr: Obituary

Mr. William “Bill” Murray Stokes, Sr. age 79 of Ellijay, GA passed on Monday evening, February 15, 2016, at Northside Hospital Cherokee in Canton, Georgia.

Mr. Stokes was born March 6, 1936 in Savannah, GA to the late Louis T., Sr. and Florie Dell Dickey Stokes. He graduated from Commercial High School in Savannah, GA, Class of 1954, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia then received his master’s degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ellijay, GA, served honorably in the United States Army, helped in developing Eagle Mountain phases 1 and 2 of the Coosawattee River Resort in Ellijay, served as director of the North Fulton Child Development Center and as associate director of YMCA of Atlanta. Bill was also the Regional Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Stokes Smith and Mary Louise Stokes and his brother Louis T. Stokes, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sue Stokes of the home in Ellijay, GA; son, Murray Stokes, Jr. of Woodstock, GA; daughters and sons-in-law Jan and Ricky Brantley of Savannah, GA and Lisa and Joey Roland of Jasper, GA; Grandchildren, Jeremy Stokes, DeAnne Roland, Victoria Roland and Shelby Stokes; Sister, Patty Stokes Parkins of Hanover, MA; Nephew, Murray Smith of Savannah, GA.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 19th, 2016 at First United Methodist Church of Ellijay, GA with Dr. Thom Shores officiating and Murray Stokes, Jr., Murray Smith and Scott Logan speaking. Music and vocals will be by Cathy Gregory, Inez Jones, Rod Randoff and DeAnne Roland. Military graveside rites will be performed by the North Georgia Honor Guard.

Family will receive friends from 4pm until 8pm on Thursday, February 18th, 2016 at Logan Funeral Home.

Flowers are acceptable or donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Finance Department, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 in memory of Mr. Stokes.