William Harold Stapleton

William Harold Stapleton, age 83, of Bristol, VA, entered into rest on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at his residence. Mr. Stapleton was a Coeburn, VA native and the son of the late Clyde and Pearl Stapleton. He was the C.E.O. and owner of Harold’s Easy Livin’ Homes, Inc. Mr. Stapleton was a “Living Legend of the factory built industry” He was a Hall of Fame member of the Virginia Mfg. and Modular Housing Association (VAMMHA), a Hall of Fame member of Clayton Homes, and a Hall of Fame member of R-Anell Housing Group. Mr. Stapleton won numerous awards for his years of being the top dealer of the year for the companies he represented and was always in the top 10 independent dealers. Before starting his business, he worked in the coal fields of West Virginia and Southwest Virginia selling mining equipment. Mr. Stapleton later held several management positions in different production companies involved in manufacturing various items from steel products to furniture. Mr. Stapleton was a member of Reynolds Memorial Methodist Church. He loved to play cards and was a huge U.T. football fan. He enjoyed traveling all over the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. More than anything, he loved his family and loved spending time with his children and his grandchildren. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Sue Gilliam and a brother, Albert Carrol Stapleton. Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Pat Stapleton; children: Larry Stapleton, George Stapleton and wife Sherry, Linda Stapleton, Sandy Andis and husband Chip, Bill Stapleton and wife Jeannie, Sharon Crotts and husband Dale, Danielle Pannell and husband Todd and Shanna Stapleton and husband Ryan Smith; Twenty-one grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; sister, Theada Witherspoon and husband George; brothers: Jerry Stapleton and wife Jo and Roger Stapleton and wife Judy; ex-wife and friend, Pat Hensley, along with several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Laura Plaster, officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Barry Andis, Ben Andis, Brian Holland, Corey Stapleton, Matt Stapleton, Stephen Stapleton and Shea Stuffle. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Holland, Elijah Martinez, Tayelon Pannell, Todd Pannell, Ryan Smith and Mark Stapleton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church, 327 Mary Street, Bristol, VA, 24201 or to Holston United Methodist Home for Children, 404 Holston Drive, Greeneville, TN 37743 or to the Smile Train, 41 Madison Avenue, 28th floor, New York, New York, 10010. Please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family. East Lawn Funeral home and Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the Stapleton family.