Julius Willard "JW, Sonny" Stanley Jr.

Julius Willard (JW, Sonny) Stanley, Jr. 75, of Altoona passed away after a brief illness on February 19, 2017. He was a life-long member of Fairview FCM Church where he served as a Deacon. He was a graduate of the Walnut Grove High School class of 1959. He attended the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa and then Jacksonville State University where he met the love of his life, Jenny Gibson. After marriage, they moved to Sherman, Texas where he served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. Once they returned home to Alabama, he started his career at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant in Gadsden. J.W. served as a supervisor of Flaps & Bladders and was on the Top 10 Club. Retiring after 32 years of service, he traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas and then Debica, Poland as a consultant for Goodyear. For the past 12 years, Sonny enjoyed working at Lil’ Burtons in the Aurora Community until his illness. Sonny was very enthusiastic about many things. He was a Crimson Tide fan and a Detroit Tigers fan. He loved to golf and fish. He was master woodworker and he spent many hours in his workshop. Since retirement, he and Jenny were able to travel and visited the Cotswolds in England; Paris, France; the Swiss Alps in Switzerland, Poland and Canada. He enjoyed spending time with his family and loved keeping up with his grandchildren. Sonny was a man of great integrity, faith and strength. He was a prankster and jokester and always kept his grandchildren laughing. He will truly be missed by his family, friends and all that were blessed to know him. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Irene Stanley, and his sister Sylvia Jane Snead. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Jenny Gibson Stanley and his daughters: Rhonda (Larry) Steele of Altoona; Dedra (Keith) Cannon of Guntersville; Ciara (Keith) Shadinger of Albertville and his grandchildren: Torie Steele, Dre Davenport, Alex Cannon, India Steele, Jackson Cannon, Dylan Shadinger and Ryleigh Shadinger. Brother-in-law Lane Snead; Sister and Brother-in-law Pat & Bud Goss. Pallbearers: Grandsons; Dre Davenport, Alex Cannon, Dylan Shadinger, Jackson Cannon and Nephews; Danny Golden and Jason Golden. Honorary Pallbearers: Cousins; Don Richey, Jerry Stanley. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 21 from 5-8 at Albertville Memorial Funeral Home. He will lie in state at Fairview FCM Church in Altoona from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on February 22 with service to follow. Officiating will be Rev. Gary Umphrey, Rev. Kerry Bryant and Rev. Eric Snead. With burial to follow in Aurora Cemetery. The family would like to send a special thanks to Marshall Medical Center South, specifically the 2nd Floor Nursing Staff, Dr. Gaspar, and Dr. Burson.

Julius Willard "JW, Sonny" Stanley Jr.

June 8, 1941 - February 19, 2017