William Marcus Stone

William Marcus Stone was born on September 19, 1948, to John C. and Pearl Smith Stone. He lived his entire life in Tullahoma, graduating from Tullahoma High School in 1966, and attending Tennessee Tech for 2 years. He married his fellow classmate, Patsy Davis and their first child, Candice, was born in 1967.

In 1968, they returned to Tullahoma to manage Bill’s father’s business, Stone Amusement Co. Over the years, Bill built this small, one employee business into a thriving company employing more than fifty employees. There second daughter Katherine Ashley was born in 1977. He opened the first Fun Tunnel when Northgate Mall in Tullahoma opened. Many adults in Tullahoma have fond memories of time spent at the Fun Tunnel, spending their quarters, and collecting rewards for good grades. Bill went on to open four more Fun Tunnels in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky.

As a young businessman, Bill gave himself the gift of golf. Having never played before, he enthusiastically took many lessons, attended many golf schools, and practiced as often as possible. Golf became one of his lifelong loves, brining him much joy. He was fortunate to play on many of the beautiful courses in this country. The highlight of his golfing years was traveling to Scotland to play at St. Andrews. To his amazement and total delight that day in May of 1999, he hit a hole-in-one on hole number 17! He and his friends celebrated at the Royal and Ancients Clubhouse. Regardless of this treasured moment and all the other games on beautiful and famous courses, his fondest memories were of the years playing at his home club, Lakewood Country Club, with so many local dear friends.

Another hobby bringing him great pleasure was his love of motorcycles. He started out on dirt bikes, racing in endurance races. Like so many fellow baby boomers, eventually fell in love with the Harley Davidson. He loved the ride, the trips, the friendships, etc. He spent many peaceful hours cleaning, polishing, and shining every square inch of his beloved machine.

During his business years, Bill enjoyed serving on the Industrial Board, being a member of the Board of Directors at Traders National Bank, supporting local schools and ball teams and was a devoted member of Noon Rotary Club. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association, Amusement and Music Operators of America. AMOA involved many years of travel and valuable associations with other amusement company operators across the country. Bill was a founding member, and the second President of Amusement and Music Operators of Tennessee.

The grandchildren started arriving in 1997. First was Candice’s son, Alexander William Fredrick in June 1997. Ashley’s daughter Bre Stone Garner was born in July of the same year. Abbie Catherine Fredrick arrived in April of 1999. In 2003, Nicholas Shane Garner was born in June. Two boys, two girls! How lucky can one man be? Then, a bonus; Eli Christopher Young, joined the family on November 11, 2016. Bill loved his time with the little ones, reading to them, telling them stories, playing outside and he became an accomplished whistler of the Barney song.

After years of dealing with increased symptoms, Bill was diagnosed in March of 2019 with Dementia with Lewy Bodies. This devastating condition is little known, and not well understood, even in the medical community. It shares some symptoms of Alzheimer and Parkinsons. However, the treatment is dangerously different, so proper diagnosis in critically important.

William Marcus Stone passed from life on this earth, suddenly and peacefully, January 6, 2021. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Patsy Stone, Tullahoma; daughter, Candice Stone Fredrick, Tullahoma; daughter, Ashley Young, Nolensville, TN and husband Eric Young; grandchildren, Alexander Fredrick of Huntsville, Alabama, Abbie Fredrick of Huntsville, Alabama, Bre Garner of Carlinville, Illinois, Nick Garner of Nolensville, and Eli Young of Nolensville; step sister-in-law, Marsha Baskin (Van) and Karen Edens of Estill Springs and his very beloved Siamese cat, Wilbur. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Betsy Stone of Florida.

There is no service planned, the family suggests that anyone who wishes to honor Bill, do business with our local small businesses. He hoped his friends would smile when they think of him.