William Stone OBITUARY
William Stone OBITUARY
William (Bill) Stone born 7/11/47 of Coral Springs FL and Grand Isle VT, passed on
10/24/25 at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Bill leaves his wife of 36
years, Nadean Stone and his sisters Debi Paterson and Cindy Capasso (brother-
in-law Ralph), nieces, nephews and many friends. They will all dearly miss this
wonderful, lovely man who was so kind gracious and considerate to others, always selflessly giving of himself.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Carroll and Arlene Stone and his beloved stepson Andrew. A celebration of his life will take place on January 10 th in Coral
Springs and next summer in VT at a date to be determined.
Bill was an integral part of the founding of the Vermont Kidney Association, VKA after seeing his father and grandfather pass from a familial pattern of kidney disease.
Bill became involved when his father was a patient of Dr. Carl Runge in the late 60’s. Dr. Runge asked Bill to assist in setting up the foundation and Bill along with Art Kunan, and many others worked to establish this important organization. They raised funds annually with their Las Vegas Casino night and Bill started a newsletter called the VKA Voice, The Vermont Kidney Association Voice.
Bill was an amazing man. The family called him MacGyver as he could fix anything. He learned countless skills as a Boy Scout reaching the God and Country designation.
Bill was the first born and a natural leader, making it easy to follow his lead. He was multi-talented with an avid interest in diverse sports- karate, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, snow skiing, (he skied for Burlington High and the University of Vermont), and was a competitive racquetball player. He was also a keen photographer completing his father’s wedding contracts after Carroll passed.
Bill and four friends started a musical group, The Barefoot Beach Boys in high school. He sang and played a Hammond B3 organ. The group performed at private parties and accompanied The Beach Boys, The Temptations and other young bands when they toured in Burlington. Back in the 60’s and 70’s bands did not travel with a full back up band but hired locals to accompany them.
Bill was an entrepreneur starting FOXX Pools, a pool design and construction company in South Burlington in 1972 through 1989. On two occasions when his design elements were sufficiently intricate with innovative landscaping, he submitted them to the National Pool Association and was awarded the Gold medal.
As National Sales Manager for Baracuda, the pool cleaner from 1989 to 2000, Bill created and became the holder of numerous design patents.
Bill was particularly proud of his sales team at Baracuda who developed and prospered in their careers under his mentorship. One said, “He was the Best Boss I ever had always encouraging me in my career and in life!”
Bill started Stone Consulting Associates in 2005 advising and guiding CEOs on sales, marketing, human resources and many other aspects of their businesses. He was among the first to buy a Tesla S85, his prized possession, in 2014.
With a healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle, Bill was able to delay progress of the disease for many years and started peritoneal dialysis PD in October 2022, at the age of 75, three years before his passing.
Dr. Anthony Bleyer from Wake Forest University asked Bill to participate in a study to determine the prevalence of kidney disease in so many members of his family and others. Although reluctant at first, Bill shared his DNA and kidney biopsy results.
Dr. Bleyer advised that Bill’s participation proved pivotal in identifying a mutated gene called APOA4 inherited at birth as a cause of kidney disease. This chance discovery will help identify kidney disease in patients going forward. This was a full circle generational disease and Bill was so proud to have been involved in furthering the study.
Special thanks to the doctors and nurses in the ICU at UVM Medical Center for their amazing care and kindness and to the staff at the Vermont Kidney Association for their tender care from May 2023 through his passing.
Bill’s brain, eyes and tissue samples were donated as he wished. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Vermont Kidney Association. Please see Bill’s memorial tribute: https://www.vermontkidneyassociation.org/new-page Anyone who donates in Bill’s honor will receive a tax receipt letter. Contributions can be made via a check, PayPal or Venmo. Please write Bill’s name in the memo line.
Lately the VKA has had to support more patients on dialysis with food insecurity, payment of bills for electricity or heat, medication copays, and especially
transportation issues as the state has cut back on their grant. SSTA and other bus services have had to cut back on what they are able to offer to their patients so the VKA will be managing the balance. Currently there is more need than ever.
