Dr. William “Bill” Stokes “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord”. William Malcolm Stokes, 89, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, April 25,after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Born April 16, 1929, in Earlington, Kentucky, he was the son of Frank Farmer Stokes and Frances Wyatt Stokes. Bill was known for his incredible faith in his Lord and Savior, a zest for life, and a smile that lit up every room he entered. Many people were touched by Bill’s wonderful life.
He was a caring and loving person who instilled Godly values in his family. Bill always loved to help others and was a true people person. He had a zest for life and his smile will be missed.
One of Bill’s greatest strengths was his ability to bring people from all walks of life to work together. He really cared for others and made a difference in the lives of many people. Bill was a difference maker.
Bill grew up in Earlington and among his many early jobs was working in the coal mines which is where his father died in a fire on Christmas eve when Bill was 18. Bill graduated from Earlington High School and Western Kentucky University before joining the U.S. Marine Corps and becoming a Lieutenant. He then earned his M.A. and Ed.D. at George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
He also did post graduate study with the American Council of Education, and the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in administration, supervision, statistics, tests and measurements, health, physical education, recreation, and athletics in public schools, community colleges, and a university. Bill’s coaching included head basketball coach at Middle Tennessee State University for 7 years.
Bill joined Miami-Dade College in 1966. At the college he served as Athletic Director, Department Chair, Dean, Vice President and President at Wolfson Campus, Kendall Campus and North Campus. He then became Vice President for Government and Business Partnerships to focus on workforce training.
In 1997 Bill left the college to join Lockheed Martin and then Affiliated Computer Services as Project Manager of their Welfare Reform Programs. In addition to his commitment to education, Bill was an active member of the community serving for many years on the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Board, the Miami Citizens Against Crime Board, The Miami Coalition for a Drug Free Society Board, and the Salvation Army Board. Other community activities included Citizens Aviation Advisory Committee, the Beacon Council, Metro Miami Action Plan, United Way Community Development Committee, Informed Families, Greater Miami Service Corps, Prison Task Force of Miami-Dade County, South Dade/South Miami/ Kendall Chamber of Commerce, North Dade Chamber of Commerce Board, Modello Task Force, People Mover Committee, and the Vision 2000 Planning Committee.
His community awards include: Baptist Health Arthur Vining Davis Award, Leave a Legacy Award from the Donor Next Door, Rotary Club of Miami 4 Test Award, Outstanding Citizen of the Year from the South Miami-Kendall Chamber of Commerce, Pioneer Citizenship Award from the Kendall Perrine Chamber, Russell Norton Community Service Award from Greater South Dade, South Miami Chamber of Commerce, the South Dade Leadership Award, and the Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award from the Miami-Dade College Faculty Senate Consortium. Bill was a longtime member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and will be remembered as a man whose goal was always to do what God wanted him to do. He will be missed by his family and friends for his thoughtfulness and ability to do the right thing for the right reasons.
His survivors include his wife of 46 years, Roberta Boyce Stokes; children Deborah (Sid Merchant), and James Norman; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and brothers Jim (Carlon) and Steve Blais, and numerous nephews and nieces. His son, William Frank, died in 2016. A memorial service will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 11295 SW 57 Avenue, Miami, FL 33156 on May 17, 2018 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baptist Health Foundation, 6855 Red Road, Coral Gables, FL 33143, or Christ the King Lutheran Church. A Graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery, on Monday, May 21st, 2018 at 8:00AM. Military funeral rites will be by the Hopkins County Honor Guard.
www. VanOrsdel.com Reid-Walters Funeral Home in Earlington, KY is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.
reidwaltersfh.com.
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