Sgt. (Ret) William “Bill” Stinson, Sr., of 2561 Bogese Drive, Petersburg, VA, departed this earth on Monday, June 11, 2012 at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, VA.

Bill was born in Thomaston, GA to the late Evangeline Stinson. He was educated in the public schools of Georgia and furthered his education at St. Leo’s University. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army and U. S. Navy. He retired from the Virginia Department of Corrections.

On April 19, 1963, he was united in marriage to Kate Clark. Into this union one son was born.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evangeline Stinson; brother, James Alton Stinson; and sister, Mary Francis Franklin.

His memories will be cherished by his lovely and devoted wife, Kate, beloved son, “Billy” Stinson, Jr.; son, Melco Alsobrooks; two sisters, Allie Thomas of Forsyth, GA, and Gertrude (J. E. Jr.) Bentley of Thomaston, GA; one brother, Andrew (Juanita) Stinson of Richmond, VA; nieces, Laqwenda Cooper of Leesville, VA, Tiana Harrison of Alexandria, VA, and Lawanda Horton of Charlotte, NC; nephews, Patrick Stinson of Los Angeles, CA, Paul Harper and J. E. Bentley III, both of Thomaston, GA, Kenneth Harper of Lithonia, GA, Lamont Greene of New York, NY, and Len Green of Portsmouth, VA; brother-in-law, Willis Harrison of Brooklyn, NY; devoted cousins, Charles Brown of Detroit, MI, and Ernest Harrison of Petersburg, VA; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Mr. William Stinson, Sr. was held at 11 a..m., Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Grady W. Powell, Sr., Eulogist. Interment followed in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

The family may be contacted by calling 804-732-8947.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Stinson at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., Petersburg, VA.