Peyton Luther Stone

Peyton Luther Stone, Jr., 94, passed away of natural causes very peacefully on May 30, 2015 at Palms of Pasadena Hospital. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina on January 15, 1921. Peyton was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School and Ceril's Business College in accounting both of Asheville, NC. After graduating he served nearly four years during WWII, with tours of duty that took him through Pearl Harbor and ended in Guam. While serving in Guam the Japanese surrendered ending WWII. Peyton was proud to have served his country in WWII and proud that his first cousin, General Earle G. Wheeler, served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Vietnam War. After the war, in the 1940's he pursued several careers, including helping a start up paper doll company, making the Curly Top Paper Doll, a paper doll with real hair. In the early 1950's he began working in the accounting department for Florida Power Corporation, shortly after he was selected to help begin the integration of computers into Florida Power. He also graduated from the International Correspondence School in Scranton, PA for computer programing. He retired as a computer programmer from Florida Power, and experienced first hand the evolution and advancements of computers from large main frames to the small PC's of today. On July 1, 1967 he married the former Betty Swanson Bittenbender, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of St. Petersburg ever since their marriage. He was also was a member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, National Rifle Association, American Center for Law and Justice, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Christians in Defense of Israel and the Republican Party. Some of his hobbies included golf and piloting small aircraft, in the 1950's he received his private pilots license. His most memorable trip was flying from Tampa bay area into Havana, Cuba shortly before Castro took over the country. He was an incredible handyman, could fix anything in the house and if there was a spare space, he would devise a shelf or something decorative or useful out of the space! Peyton was one of nine children, his eight sisters affectionately called him "Brother," many friends called him "Bub," his co-workers at Florida Power nicknamed him "Stoney," and he was also affectionately known as Grandpa and GGPa. Not only at work but with all friends and family, Peyton was steadfast and faithful in every area of his life, admired for his quick wit and sense of humor, his knowledge of the words to just about every song, his attention to detail (including his grandchildren's favorite foods), his love of politics and the United States of America, and his patience and devotion to those he loved. Preceding him in death was his beloved wife of 47 years, Betty Bittenbender Stone; his parents, Peyton Luther Stone, Sr. and Cora Bell Swink Stone and seven sisters; Mildred Stone, Geneva Stone, Agnes Stone, Frances Stone Hitchins (and husband Paul), Annie Mae Stone, Mary Stone Brooks, Doris Stone Elliott(and husband Walter David) and brother-in-law, Colonel Pierre Canese. He is survived by step-daughter, Karen Zauderer and her husband, James Zauderer, four grandchildren: Brock W. Zauderer and his wife Krysten Zauderer, Dr. B. Ashley Zauderer, Kirk M. Zauderer and his wife Dr. Anne Zauderer, and Lindsey R. Zauderer. Five great-grandchildren: Mason, Carson, and Addison Zauderer (children of Brock and Krysten) and Evangeline and Brody Zauderer (children of Kirk and Anne). He has one surviving sister from his eight sisters, Margaret Stone Canese of Columbia, SC. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and their families. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Anderson McQueen Family Tribute Center, 2201 Dr. MLK Street North, St. Petersburg FL 33704. A service and internment will be held in Warren, Pennsylvania, the area where his wife grew up and was buried. In the spirit of celebrating Peyton's life, in lieu of flowers, donations to honor him can be made to the Billy Graham Evangelist Association (www.billygraham.org). More than anything his family greatly appreciates your love, support and prayers during this time. He will be greatly missed.