Lester W. Stiles

Lieutenant Colonel Lester Webb Stiles, U.S. Army retired, died on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at his home in Taylor, Texas embraced by his family. He was born on May 11, 1921, in Taylor to Sue Webb Stiles and Cecil Elliott Stiles. He grew up on the Stiles Ranch east of Thrall, Texas, attending Thrall schools and graduating in a class of 13 students in 1938. While attending Texas A&M College, Class of ’43, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry and entered World War II. On December 12, 1942, he married Mary Alyce Whitmire. During World War II he served two and a half years in the Pacific Theater. Upon his return in 1946 he moved with Mary Alyce and daughter Sue to College Station, Texas where they lived with other young veterans and their families in Vet Village while completing his BS Degree in Animal Husbandry. Upon completion of his studies he returned to active duty.

Captain Stiles settled his family in Taylor when he was ordered to Korea during the Korean Conflict. During his eighteen months in Korea, he was promoted to the rank of Major and immediately took command of the 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry. In subsequent years he served in various stateside assignments and graduated from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in June 1960. The family then moved to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served in the 25th Infantry Division. In August, 1965, LTC Stiles was ordered to Viet Nam with Task Force Alpha and spent the majority of his time in the Central Highlands. He retired from active duty on December 31, 1967, and returned to operate the family ranch.

Lester and Mary Alyce enjoyed a happy, active and long retirement that consisted of working the land, raising cattle, travel and spending time with their many close friends. A highlight of each year for eighteen years was his hunt in the Big Bend with a group of great friends during which he had the opportunity to hunt with his son Steve. Among his other eclectic interests were bread baking on Sunday afternoon, reciting the classic poetry of Kipling and Longfellow, beekeeping, and winemaking. In later years he relished his Tuesday morning Bible study and games of Chicken Foot with life- long friends. His associations included the Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Rotary International, VFW and American Legion. Lester served as a Director of First Taylor National Bank and Thorndale State Bank.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Alfred Earl “Buz” White and his beloved wife of sixty years, Mary Alyce. He considered that the highlight of his life was his marriage to her. Through many moves from post to post, she always created a secure loving home for her family and he considered her the perfect Army wife.

LTC Stiles is survived by children, Sue Stiles White of Houston, Texas; Steve Stiles and wife Fran of Thrall, Texas; grandchildren, Stacy Stork and husband Jeff of Taylor, Texas; Stiles White and wife Juliet of Los Angeles, California; John White and wife Jessica of Malibu, California; Sarah Stotts and husband Glenn of Austin, Texas; Joe Stiles of Telluride, Colorado; great grandchildren, Dylan and Garrett Stork, Stiles Fraser White, Charlotte and Rivers White, William Stotts.

Lester was a good man, a man of character, integrity and a man of unwavering faith.

The funeral service will be conducted at First United Methodist Church, Taylor on Saturday, January 28, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. LTC Stiles will receive full military honors at the graveside. A reception in the fellowship hall at the church will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 907 W. Lake Drive, Taylor, Texas 76574, or to Solomon Lodge #484 AF&AM, 2707 Donna Dr., Taylor, Texas 76574.