William "Bill" Thomas Stokes

William “Bill” Thomas Stokes, 101, passed away on February 7, 2025, at home in Camp Springs, MD. He was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend. Bill was born on October 20, 1923, in Washington, DC, to the late William B. and Anna Mae Stokes. Bill attended Maryland Park High School and worked with his father and brothers at their gas station in Hillside, MD, and as an apprentice electrician with the Special Service Company.

He entered the Army in May 1943, and later when the Air Corps training program was curtailed, he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, medical section (423rd ), and went overseas in October 1944. He served as a ground combat medic and, on December 19, 1944, Bill was taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge until May 1945 when he was repatriated in Riesa, Germany. He returned to the States and worked in the medical field until his discharge in November 1945. Bill worked on air conditioning, heating and electrical equipment on railroad passenger cars, buses and automobiles for the Safety Railway Service Corp and was a member of the Electrical Workers Union until 1961. He then worked for the Naval Communications Station in Cheltenham, MD, until his retirement as General Public Works Foreman in 1984, receiving many awards and letters of commendation from Naval Commanders over the years.

Bill married his beloved wife, Alice E. Stokes, on December 1, 1950. They lived in District Heights, MD, and moved to Camp Springs, MD in 1976. Together they had three daughters, Susan Wilhelm, Ruth Stokes (Oscar White), Camp Springs, MD, and Joanne Aikman (Jim), Dunkirk, MD. He was a student pilot in his early years and later enjoyed his motorcycle. Bill was an expert at building and fixing things—he could repair just about anything and often shared his knowledge with others. He enjoyed bargain shopping, yard work, and family vacations alternating between weekly stays at the beach and mountains, including camping up and down the east coast. Later in life he spent time maintaining his home and visiting family locally and in Indiana, Florida, and Maine. As he got older, he often said that he had done everything he ever wanted.

In addition to his daughters, Ruth and Joanne, Bill is survived by his son-in-law, David Wilhelm of Columbus, IN; five grandchildren-Dan, Emily, Elizabeth, Matt, and Becky; five great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by Alice, his wife of 72 years; daughter, Susan;  brothers, Howard L. Stokes, Sr., and Raymond E. Stokes; sister, Anna Mae Fritts, and two great-grandchildren. Service and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

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