Carrel (Wes) Stone, 84

Wes (Carrel Wesley) Stone, 84, of Providence, passed away on July 14, 2026 at Deaconess Gateway in Newburgh, IN.

Wes was born on April 13, 1942, in Dixon, Kentucky, to Gilmore and Imogene Stone. At just 15 years old, he left home and set out on his own, first traveling to St. Louis, where he worked as a taffy puller at Brach’s Candy Company. Life led him to California, where he became a member of the Sprinkler Fitters Union. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Wes went on to establish Able Fire Protection, where he built a successful career, raised his family, and left a lasting legacy.

He was of the Baptist faith. Wes was a member of Sprinkler Fitters Union Local 669 and a former Moose Lodge member. He loved playing music and travel.

Wes is survived by his sisters, Nola Byrd and Donna (Rodney) Michaels; his children, Carrel Westley “Butch” Stone, Jr., Tracey Reider and Julie (Dan) Taylor; his grandchildren, Kirstin (Josh) Backes, Carol “Mimi” Stone, Spencer Reider, Skylar (Barbara) Reider, and Shane Reider; his great-grandchildren, Ezekiel and Eleanor Reider; along with many extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilmore and Imogene Stone; and by siblings Carrie Mae, Aubrey Carvill, Harold Davis, Kenneth Lee, Glada Ruth, Bobby Wayne, Billy Winford, William Edgar, Gilmore Louis, and Ronald Gene.

Wes lived life on his own terms. He was the (arguably self) appointed Mayor of Diamond, a devoted dog dad for many years, and the patriarch of a large, loud family. He loved a John Wayne movie, a Hank Williams record, and anything written by Louis L’Amour, as long as it was on tape. Wes was known for his determination (to continue occasionally driving when he felt like it, despite being legally blind for 30-plus years), resilience (to continue doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted), and his unmistakable personality. While his body may have aged, his spirit never waned – Wes was a self-proclaimed Jack of All Trades, Master of None; able to fix or build anything at a moment’s notice.  He was equal parts cantankerous and charismatic, and always the instigator of a good time. While his family and friends will never be short on stories, they will surely miss his rowdy spirit, sharp wit, and independent nature that made him unforgettable to all who knew him.

A memorial celebration of Wes’s life will be held in Webster County, Kentucky at a later date. Additional details will be announced by the family.

Wes’s legacy lives on through his family, his life’s work, and the countless memories shared by those fortunate enough to know and love him. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and talked about for years to come.

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