William Claude Stooksbury

Rev. William Claude Stooksbury (Bill) of Nashville, TN died on July 15, 2023 at the age of 76.  He was born on June 6, 1947 in Knoxville, TN to William Claude Stooksbury & Vera Faye Hudman Stooksbury.  His parents preceded him in death, as well as his sister Darla Suzanne Stooksbury Brady.

Bill graduated from Central High School, Knoxville, and UT Chattanooga with a B.S. in Human Services and Philosophy.  He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY and graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN, with a Master of Divinity. 

Smithwood Baptist Church ordained Bill as a minister in 1977 and he served on the ministerial staff or as pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky.  He joined the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1988, becoming an Elder and serving as pastor of The Fairgarden Circuit (Maryville District), Lonsdale UMC, St. Luke’s UMC, and Second UMC (Knoxville District).

Bill retired to Nashville, TN in 2009 after 32 years in Ministry.  In retirement he enjoyed traveling, reading books, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved family including his wife of 53 years, Jayne Moyer Stooksbury, son William David Stooksbury (Megaen), grandchildren Thorne, Lily, and Kingston Stooksbury, and nephew William Robert Dickenson (Lori).

The immediate family will have a private funeral.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial gifts to the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR) through your local United Methodist Church or via their website:  umcmission.org/give-to-umcor/