James Stone

STONE, JAMES DILLARD, age 82, a longtime resident of Christiansburg, died on Tuesday, April 5, 2005. He leaves his beloved wife of 61 years, Lura Dean Vest Stone.

Dillard was a Veteran of World War II decorated with the Bronze Star and was a Prisoner of War. He was a member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Roanoke Chapter; the Christiansburg Fire Department for 31 years and a retired Lab Technician with the Radford Arsenal. He faithfully served the Lord at St. Paul United Methodist Church since 1952.

Dillard was preceded in death by his parents, Adolphus and Lila Stone and twin, Adolphus Hillard (Jack) Stone, who died in World War II.

Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Jane & Don Parker of Blue Ridge; granddaughters, Angela Leonard (Alan) of Blue Ridge; Lara Nichols (Mark) of Boca Raton, FL. Papa also leaves five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Surviving siblings are Stella Lancaster and Alan Stone (Ruby) of Bent Mountain and Mary Reba Craighead (Nelson) of Roanoke; in-laws, Tommy Ballard, Hubert Averette and Helen Vest.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 8, 2005 at the St. Paul United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Blue Ridge Autism Center, where grandson Joshua is served. P. O. Box 226, Blue Ridge, VA 24064, (540-777-1218).