Roy Warren Stone

On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Roy Warren Stone, loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend died at the age of 96. Roy was born October 13, 1924 in Wellsville Ohio to Roy Sr. and Edna Stone. He lived most of his life in Akron, Ohio and graduated from Akron South High School in 1942. He married his high school sweetheart Norma Jane Dorward who predeceased him, on March 17, 2017, and they were married 73 years. They had two sons: Ronald William Stone, surviving; and Perry Lee Stone who predeceased his father on November 30, 2019 leaving behind his devoted and loving wife, Donna Stone, who helped care for Roy for many years and during his last illness. Also, helping to care for Roy was his niece Jody Hollingsworth, who kept him company and was present during Roy's passing.

Roy attended Hammell-Actual Business College in Akron, Ohio for two years on the GI Bill after being honorably discharged from the US Navy. He then got a job with Roadway Express, and eventually became the head of the auditing department for many years. He then started a successful campground business, named "Hidden Hollow" near Carrollton Ohio. After retirement, he and Norma traveled all over the world and continued to enjoy the company of his loving family and friends.

Roy was known as a man of virtue: he kept his word, he worked hard, he loved his country and family, was proud of his service in the US Navy during WWII, and always provided for and protected his family and loved ones. However, his greatest moment of glory was on June 6, 1944: D-Day. Roy was a Signalman Petty Officer 3rd class on the LCI 553, which landed on D-Day at Omaha Beach. His ship was hit by a German "88" artillery shell and he and his shipmates had to abandon ship and swim to the beach under fire and across buried mines. He said they dug in at the foot of the cliff and remained under fire all day and into the evening. He said he was able to watch soldiers "slowly but surely" climb the cliff before him all day until they reached the top and silenced the German positions responsible for the death and carnage on the beach below. He also said that he laid on the beach among countless dying and wounded boys. Roy shared, he still could hear the dying and the wounded crying and wailing for their mothers. His family could not be more proud of him for his service and bravery on D-Day, but also for his subsequent life well lived with honor, integrity, and love. May he rest in Peace.