Billy Joe Stotler
Billy Joe Stotler, 74, of rural Frankford died Thursday, June 2, 2017 at the family’s home.
Visitation Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from 9:30-10:30 a.m., at Waters Funeral Home in Vandalia.
Service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., at Waters Funeral Home in Vandalia with the Rev. Bob Hoehn officiating. Music was provided by Sharon Hoehn, pianist. Interment: will be in Wellsville Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 25, 1943 near Olney, the son of Joseph William “J. W.” and Opal Nadine Baker Stotler. He married “Honey” Hampton in Curryville on April 23, 1965. She survives.
Other survivors include two sons, Larry J. Stotler and wife, Molly of Vandalia, and Mark W. Stotler and wife, Lorrie of New London; one daughter, Julie D. Stotler of Lake Ozark; also survived by one brother; two sisters; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Billy attended schools in the Bowling Green area and attended New Harmony Christian Church. Billy and Honey met at an early age near Montgomery City. He started driving a dump truck for Paul Goodman and then for his dad’s construction company. Billy skidded brick at A.P. Green Refractories in Mexico and while there also bought the Shell station on Liberty Street. He then moved his family back to Vandalia and owned and operated the Texaco station and later the North Star station at the south edge of town.
During much of this time, Billy owned a farm near Laddonia and Perry. In the late 80’s he purchased a home and mechanic shop near New London. Billy retired in 2001 when he and Honey bought a farm near Frankford. He was a member of the Teamsters and the National Truck Pulling Association. Billy enjoyed raising horses, pulling trucks and hotrods, stock car racing, boating and camping on the Mississippi and the Lake of the Ozarks.
Pallbearers will be Dean Reed, Johnny Wallace, Robert Dale Stotler, Ed Jackson, Dale Stotler and Zach Stovall.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother and one sister.
Memorials are encouraged to the donor’s choice.
