Mr. Leonard "Pete" Stillson

Leonard "Pete" Stillson, Age 91, of Grant, Alabama passed away on Monday, February 26, 2024. Pete, son of Peter and Evelyn Thorne Stillson, was born on May 9, 1932 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, He spent his childhood in Indian Head, Maryland playing in the woods and on the sandy shores of the Potomac River. Throughout his life, Mr. Stillson maintained friendships with classmates from Indian Head. Pete's family was a close and loving family, and he was a devoted son. His father, Peter Stillson. immigrated in 1910 from the Reggio Calabria Province in Italy to the US as a 15 year old. Pete connected with his father's family in 2006 by chance after contacting the author of a book about Calabria Region. Pete retired from the Department of Army in 1982 after 30 years as an engineering supply officer for the Army Corps of Engineers. He worked and lived throughout the United States as well as Japan, Saudi Arabia, Panama Canal Zone and Israel. One of Mr. Stillson's earliest assignment was at Cape Canaveral while it was being constructed for military and NASA purposes. He was onsite for all the unmanned launches to the moon. Prior to his employment with the Department of Army, Pete worked as a mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Indian Head, Maryland and volunteered as a fireman for the Potomac Heights Fire Department Company No. 7. Mr. Stillson was never one to sit still for long and enjoyed working on home and yard projects or performing volunteer work. After retiring, Mr. Stillson served as a volunteer reserve deputy for fifteen years with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Holcomb. He also donned his Santa suit for holiday visits with local children and seniors. Family members received special visits from Santa Pete, too. Mr. Stillson was a member of the New Life Methodist Church in Grant, and his faith played an important role in his life. Pete's blessings at family meals always included a special prayer for those serving in the military and a prayer that no child go hungry for love. Pete was a life-long Mason and recently received his 70 year pins from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, Perseverance Lodge of Alabama, Marshall Lodge No. 209 and the Grand Lodge of Maryland, Perseverance Lodge No. 208. Mr. Stillson was a member of the St. Florian 911 Masonic Lodge No. 238 for firemen. the Cahaba Shrine in Huntsville, and the National Society and the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as a descendent of Thomas Thorn. Pete's favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. Mr. Stillson never met a stranger, and his heart was bigger than he was. Pete also enjoyed watching Alabama football, the Washington Redskins, and baseball games, especially the Atlanta Braves. Mr. Stillson pitched on Indian Head baseball teams in Maryland from childhood through young adulthood, and he never lost his love for the game. Mr. Stilson is survived by his wife of 25 years, Loretta Martin Stillson; stepdaughter, Tonia Martin Lalor (Mike); stepdaughter, Penny Smith Vidler (David); daughters, Teresa Choutka and Lynnea Moore-Brown (Dwight) of Enterprise, Alabama; granddaughters, Fallon and Mikaela Lalor, Danielle Choutka Osgood; grandsons, Dave Choutka, Sean Stillson, Jason, Justin, Jordan and Seth Moore-Brown, Jonathan and James Smith; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Downing (Rick) and Kay Claggett; cousins in Italy, Teresa Stillson Marzano, Gulio Marzano, and the Bruno Stillson family; and Angel, his beloved and spoiled Shih Tzu. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Lee Stillson; son-in-law Fritz Choutka; sister Marion Kellam; and brother, Paul Stillson. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 7, 3:00 PM, at the Grant Memorial Chapel with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those wishing to express sympathy to consider a donation to the New Life Methodist Church (5256 Main Street, Grant, AL 35747) or Shiners Children's Hospitals (P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394) in Pete's memory.

Mr. Leonard "Pete" Stillson

May 9, 1932 - February 26, 2024