William Robert Stokes

William Robert Stokes, fondly known to us all as Big Bob, Bobby and his most favorite name, Bob Bob to his nine grands became fully alive on February 2, 2026, at the age of 66. He is survived by his beloved wife and devoted companion of 44 years, Jayme Williams Stokes; his son, Jarod Stokes and his wife, Erin and his daughters, Lindsey Eberts and her husband, Curtis, Katelyn Kiihnl and her husband, Clay and Julia Stokes; his adored grandchildren, Sullivan, Andersyn (Ase), Jameson Stokes, Ezra, Ana and Hattie Eberts, Parker, Tucker and Spencer Kate Kiihnl; sister, Kayren Freels of San Diego, CA and her sons, Matthew (Lauren), Daniel and Cameron and two great nephews, Peter and Jacob; and nephew, Rodney Charles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amso and Jolene Stokes; his sister, Roylene Charles; his niece, McKenna Freels; and his dear friend, Jim White

He was happiest watching his grands grow up and traipsing around with Jayme on their adventures. Making rocking horses for new babies had become one of his greatest joys. He enjoyed his work with Eugene Whitney in procuring bicycles for children in need and gathering donations for the ULM social studies fair and education department. Bob truly had a servant's heart and he was a true Arkansas Razorback fan.

Bob was born in National City, CA on June 15,1959, to his educator parents, Amso and Jolene. The baby of the family became an all-state basketball and baseball player. He eventually chose a basketball scholarship to Harding University over the minor leagues with the Mariners and the Air Force Academy. There he met his wife and garnered a host of lifelong friends. Coach Prock noticed his unabashed style of cheering for the Bisons and he became Harding's first mascot, Bobby Bison. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's in administration. He developed a passion for creating readers and presented nationally for years on literacy instruction. He also served as the 1A Representative on the LHSAA executive committee for our area. He counted his greatest accomplishment as getting select schools back to the Dome.

Bob served faithfully as principal and headmaster of OCS for 34 years. Whether he was on the court with his dear friend Stan Humphries, leading the varsity girls to 5 District Championships and a State Championship in 2021 or reading aloud to classes or dressing up as Buddy the Elf, our Big Bob enjoyed life around kids. There were no bad kids in his mind-just those who needed more Jesus and he showed it to them with his big heart. He loved OCS with all his heart and considered it his ministry.

He believed OCS should be a family of believers walking each other home by educating students for time and eternity. Family was his goal and he achieved it.

We won't know this side of Heaven the number of students he touched, but our lives have been made full by the testimonies we have heard in the past months.

Special thanks go out to Louisiana Palliative Hospice, Deva and Rene, Dr Billy Branch, Nick Guilbeau, Angela Hamby, Robynn Hodnett, Meredith and Rob Garner, the Neuro ICU team at St Dominic's in Jackson for the care and comfort they gave Bob and our family during our darkest hours.

He would want all those he coached to remember the backboard is their best friend-for all of us family and friends he was our backboard. And he would give all the credit to Jesus. We all knew who he trusted and believed in. No doubt.

A service of celebration and remembrance of the many lives Bobby Stokes touched will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, February 8, 2026, at North Monroe Baptist Church. Visitation will be held after the service for family and friends.

Memorials may be made in Bobby's memory to the Palace Foundation, 1406 Howell Drive Monroe, LA 71203.

Services will be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/northmonroe

Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home Monroe.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the Stokes family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people". Ephesians 6:7

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Monroe, LA