Mr. Willie Mitchell Stokes, age 78, of Wallace died Thursday November 1, 2012 at Vidant Duplin Hospital in Kenansville. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Padgett Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Louise Wood and Rev. Billy Tolar.    Burial will follow at Jones Cemetery in Chinquapin.  The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 pm Saturday at Padgett Funeral Home.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bettie Wood Stokes, of the home, three daughters, Pam Hanchey and husband Robin of Wallace, NC, Melinda S. Bodzinski of Chinquapin, NC, Amanda Brock and husband Tommy of Mt. Olive, NC, a son, Lewis Ray Stokes of Wallace, NC, a sister, Emma Raynor and husband Mack of Wallace, NC, 2 brothers, Jacob Dawson Stokes, Jr. and wife Annie of Wallace, NC and Russell Thomas Stokes of Mexico, four grandchildren, Amber H. Brown and husband Robby, Megan H. Hall and husband Dwayne, Kayla R. Bodzinski and Blake Bodzinski, two great-grandchildren, Jackson L. Brown and Levi R. Brown.

Born April 4, 1934 in Duplin County, Mr. Stokes was the son of the late Jacob Dawson and Meta Carter Stokes and was a member of Northeast Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church.  He served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.  He was a chartered member of the Northeast Volunteer Fire Department and a member of Woodman of the World.  He loved floundering, mowing the yard, enjoyed going to the beach and working his Sudoku puzzles and was a friend to all.

Casket bearers will be Brandon Stokes, Stratton Stokes, Jimmy Wood, Joey Jones, Johnny Hanchey, Chuck Wooten, Jimmy Brock and Brian Foley.