Harold Stainton

Harold Richard "Dickie" Stainton passed away peacefully the morning of May 3, 2025. He was born on August 28, 1942 in Laurel, Mississippi to Harold and Sarah Stainton. He spent most of his childhood in Chickasaw, Alabama with his parents and sister, Sherri. It was in Chickasaw where he met the love of his life, Marilyn "Butchie" Westover, when he was just 15 years old. He attended Vigor High School and went on to Southern Miss where he earned an Accounting degree. While he was in college he married his sweetheart, Butchie, on June 1, 1963. They were happily married until she passed away on January 2, 2021. Upon graduation from college Dickie and Butchie moved back to Chickasaw, and by 1973 their family was complete with two children- Eric and Melissa. While living in Chickasaw, Dickie started his career with Scott Paper Company before working for Ingalls Shipbuilding Division and Kaiser Aluminum.

A job opportunity with Brown & Root and HL&P took them to Bay City, Texas in 1980 where they continued to raise their kids and made some lifelong friends. With his mother and sister also living in Texas, Dickie and the family made frequent visits to San Antonio to spend time together. In 1987, they moved to Chattanooga, TN so Dickie could work for TVA. They stayed there for 10 years before moving back to Mobile to be close to family once again. They lived in Mobile until 2003 when they moved to Columbia, TN to be closer to their grandchildren. For years Dickie commuted to work 4 days a week in Athens, Alabama and spent the weekends with Butchie- so he could continue to provide for his family and his beloved wife could be closer to her grandbabies.

Dickie was known to be an Alabama fan through and through and was rarely seen without an Alabama baseball cap or t-shirt. He was also known to be a lover of flea markets and garage sales- he loved to find a good bargain and add to his many collections. He was a steadfast provider for his family, and while known by some friends to be a penny pincher he was also quick to dote on his beloved Butchie. He also enjoyed helping in the kitchen, watching old movies, and they both enjoyed spending time with family taking frequent trips back to Mobile all of the years they weren't living there.

Dickie was also a big Disney fan- and he and Butchie had many trips there together over the years both as a couple and also with grandkids. Towards the end of her life, Dickie was Butchie's devoted caregiver until the end...he cherished and loved her faithfully until his last breath.

Dickie is preceded in death by his parents Harold Newton Stainton and Sarah Keller Stainton and by his beautiful wife, Marilyn "Butchie" Westover Stainton. He is survived by his children Eric Stainton and Melissa Collins (Robert), and grandchildren Smith, Keller and Grayson Collins. He is also survived by his sister Sherri Baugh, and in-laws Marianne and Jim Reaves, and Charles and MaryLou Westover, as well as a nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens on June 23, 2025 at 10:00 am with visitation beginning at 9:00 am. There will be a small graveside service for family afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Alive Hospice

1718 Patterson St.

Nashville, TN 37203