Walter Henry Stone IV

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Walter Henry Stone IV, 88 of Mt Airy MD. Walter departed this life peacefully with his loving family all by his side, on January 2, 2026, in Frederick Maryland at Frederick Memorial Hospital with complications from pneumonia. 

He was born in 1937 to Rev Walter H Stone & Lorena Stone. Walter graduated from Glen Burnie High School in 1955 before attending classes at University of Maryland and Western Maryland College. Pryor to graduating he enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served our country. Afterwards he worked for 35 years as a civilian dedicated to the National Security Agency where he peformed many intelligence related tasks including Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Chief whose training focused on intercepting and decoding Morse code (continuous wave) communications. He was a true patriot that received many accolades and awards.

Walter was preceded in death by parents Rev Walter H Stone IIII & Lorena Hardinger Stone. Sister Ellen, (husband Andy)

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce Mary Stone, son Walter Henry Stone V, (Michelle Easterday) son Christopher Ian Stone (Deb Atwood) grandson Walter Henry Stone VI (wife Ashley), granddaughter Madison Victoria Stone (fiancé Luke Wellen), great grandson Walter Henry Stone VII, Sister Lorena May Stone, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and adopted family/care giver Liz Magers.

Despite being raised Methodist, he faithfully attended St Michaels Catholic Church with his wife for nearly 50 years.

Walter was a member of the Rhododendron Society and enjoyed working in his garden with his Azaleas. He enjoyed helping in the pit beef food stand at the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Companies annual carnival. He was also a past president and active member of the Heart of Maryland Model T Club and a member of the Maryland chapter of the International Model T Club. He was a man that could build or make anything he needed or wanted. He also built the family home doing 80% of the necessary work himself. He never complained and was always looking at the positive things in life. He was a quiet man who never boasted or bragged on himself. He will be missed.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 8 E. Ridgeville Blvd., Mount Airy, MD 21771. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Father Paul Sparklin officiating. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Catholic Church Cemetery.