William Reed Stites, age 72 of La Plata, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 7, 2020.
Born May 3, 1947 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Dr. Joseph Gant Stites Jr. and Lucy Gray (Cates) Stites. On January 6, 1996 in La Plata, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Carole (Lofblom) Van Hara who survives.
Also surviving are four daughters, Jaime L. Rader (Roger) of La Plata, Missouri, Jessica C. Benedict (Jason Campbell) of Memphis, Missouri, Gina Van Hara of Kirksville, Missouri, and Sydney E. Stites (Nick Ford) of Kirksville, Missouri; One son, Mikel J. Glaspie (Lisa) of La Crosse, Wisconsin; three sisters, Mary F. Morgan (Michael) of Elk Park, North Carolina, Ruth S. Lutz (Gary) of Columbia, Missouri, and Lucy S. Baker (Paul) of Long Beach, California; eleven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
His parents preceded him in death.
Reed served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1970. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. After living in Columbia, Missouri and Kirksville, Missouri he moved to La Plata in 1984. He owned and operated Stites Interiors for many years. He was a member of the Baptist Church.
Reed was a good man and a friend to many. He loved blessing his friends with his cooking, and loved his family dearly.
A graveside service will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri. Visitation will be Tuesday, February 11, 2020 with the family receiving friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of William Reed Stites may be made to the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.