| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 22 Jan 2006.
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You recall weeks ago we chatted with William Worley and his nephew, Willie Stokely, at the new manufacturing facility located next to J&D Market. Around noon, Willie was working with assistant Cotton Maxwell-the first thing I asked was if he were kin to my old friend, the late Joe Maxwell, who had an artificial heart. Cotton is a brother. Cotton is a talented construction, trades man and will be building prefabricated storage buildings for E.T. Metal. I learned that Willie is married to the former Linda Sane, of Parrottsville and that he is the son of R.L. and Lora Mae (Worley) Stokely, of Del Rio.
Another stout fellow at the plant was Willie's brother, James, who works for CSX railroad. In fact, Willie had worked for Norfolk-Southern for many years as a mechanic and traveled about 13 states in the southeast. They also have another brother, Anthony, who will be a part-time helper but works full time for Wallace Hardware. The business is truly a family one. Willie and Linda have two children: Christopher Stokely and Christy Sane.
On Friday, William was in Newport and not scheduled to return until Saturday morning so I returned during a rainy mid-morning to find everyone at work. During our talk I learned more about the Worley family and a life-and-death tale that Willie told me that probably led to their new venture. You will hear about this next week.
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Just Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Jan 2006.
To work and dream beyond pain
2006 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL William Worley, left, and Willie Stokely have been partners many years and relatives all their lives. They just started up East Tennessee Metal in Parrottsville last week.
By: David Popiel Source: The Newport Plain Talk <http://cocke.xtn.net> 01-29-2006
Gas prices inched up during the week, but motorists in our hometown seemed to shrug this off and take to the roads, as January's days are numbered. Towards the end of last week, when the mornings still carried frosty bed clothing, I returned to East Tennessee Metal to chat more with William Worley.
You recall we talked about his nephew, Willie Stokely, and their business start up. You need to know more about William and find out here how this venture may have helped restore Willie's life after a tragic burn accident early last year. Morning temperatures were in the 20s, yet William and Cotton Maxwell had the bay doors open to their business in Parrottsville. Cotton wore a heavy green jacket while using a nail gun to assemble storage buildings. Vaughn Moore was just leaving after purchasing some of the colored steel for a project. William is named for his Dad, William B. Worley, who married Opal (Gowan) and had six children. Also, still living are sisters, Lora Stokely and Nona Stokely, and brother, Donald Worley. You long-time Plain Talk readers will recall the Good Hope News written by William Worley's wife, Janie (Orr) Worley. Although, the family lives near Parrottsville and farms, the Worleys hail from around Bull Mountain. They have four children: Linda Blackwell, Jerry, Joseph, and Arlene Walker. Years ago, young William worked with many of you at American Enka and then went out on his own to farm, log, and eventually got into construction.
After 32 years in Parrottsville, they and their chickens call it home-oh, did I forget to tell you he is also a poultry grower? He and Dwayne Mason each have four gigantic poultry houses to raise hens for Koch Foods. William told me that East Tenn. Metals got a good boost from my story and they are anxious to get in the next machine. It will form the caps, corners, and trim steel needed for roofing and siding projects. There are more colors of steel in their 7,500 sq. ft. plant now. It is interesting to note that a lineal foot of the three-foot-plus wide sheeting weighs almost two pounds.
So why is Willie smiling more these days? When I first met the partners, I didn't realize that an accident in April 2005 put Willie on a different track for life. When I asked Willie about his accident, he pulled down the neck of his shirt and showed me how fire had disfigured his chest. It burned his right ear, neck, and both arms-he still wears compression bandages on his forearms so the skin heals properly. His wife, Linda (Sane), shared the whole story, as she recalled it: "It's a miracle he is even here and we thank God for letting him live." Before the accident he got the idea for his own business but couldn't figure out where to find the time to start it-he traveled in many states as a mechanic with Norfolk-Southern railroad. On April 30 after breakfast Willie left to try to get his 1976 Ford truck started. He had sold the truck and was using a small amount of gasoline in a cup to prime the carburetor. It backfired and startled him. The gasoline spilled on his chest and exploded into flames-even his beard was on fire and smoking. Linda was busily cleaning and didn't realize anything was amiss. Soon, the friend came up and said Willie was at Baptist Hospital of Cocke County emergency room. She thought he was OK and not burned badly until she got to the ER.
When she arrived at the emergency room, she recalled, "We eased around the corner. I though my heart would stop. I couldn't believe what I saw. You could smell the badly burnt skin and he was just black all over." Linda choked back the tears as Willie talked to his son, "Buddy,"-Christopher. An emergency medical helicopter flew Willie, who was packed in ice, to Erlanger Medical Center known for its ability to treat badly burned patients. Willie's brother, Randall, drove Linda and son to Chattanooga and Willie's parents, too. Willie couldn't remember what happened to cause the accident-it was just so sudden.
After skin grafts he spent 44 days heavily sedated and three months in the hospital. Close family members could only see him 30 minutes at a time, three times a day. William drove down every Sunday often accompanied by other relatives. Their daughter, Christy Sane, was in college but visited every week. After the near-death experience, Willie returned home mid-summer and started rehabilitation at the Patricia Neal Center, Knoxville. Thanks to Linda's brother-in-law, Donnie Holt, who owns his own ambulance service, Willie got transportation. Nurses expected Willie to leave in a wheelchair, but he was determined to walk and he did. The prayers and thoughts of hundreds of church friends and neighbors have energized the family. The happiest day was when Willie returned home walking on his own. The children held up a "Welcome Home Daddy" sign, and most of the family was there: parents, R.L. and Lora Stokely; Aunt Janie, Mamaw Tessie, Aunt Nona, mother-in-law Maudella, who took care of the house while Linda and Willie were in Chattanooga.
It would have been easy for someone burned to such a degree to become an invalid. Willie struggled back and followed his dream to open his own business. By fall, the plan was turning to wood, steel, and concrete-depression and pain faded like late summer fogs. Now, you know as much as I do about this remarkable man and mountain families.
In plain talk, the dreams we hold can take us through experiences never reckoned and lead to the destination down the tracks-a place, long ago, we only hoped to ever see.
Just Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 22 Jun 2008.
Late this past March, I drove into East Tennessee Metal after seeing some more construction underway. The business that started just over two years ago was adding a 5,000 square feet building for expansion. In the front office, Willie Stokely was busy handling an order placed by Henry Styles. He and his wife, Jo (Phillips) Styles, both work in Gatlinburg. Imagine what their gas bill is from Trail Hollow. A maintenance worker at Edgewater Hotel, Henry was putting a steel roof over his existing home. I left to return another day because Willie remained busy. He was still busy as ever last Friday but took time to tell me how they have been doing. Willie and William Worley are still together at the business, which is doing well. The only downside has been higher gas costs and steel prices. Willie said it recently cost him $150 for diesel fuel to fill up his truck used to haul steel siding and roofing. One thing apparent since last Fall, Willie has loss weight, more than 30 pounds, he said, just by dieting. He did quit drinking sugary soft drinks.
"Steel prices have gone crazy," he said. From what I hear, China is buying up everything it can find to build. He is now paying 61 cents per foot more for his steel. There are some new faces to me at East Tenn. Metal. The receptionist is Cortnee Pack, who joined him last July. Other workers include James Rich, Adam Cogdill, and volunteer, Willie's Dad, R. L. Stokely. Many contractors use the Parrottsville business located off Cosby Hwy. One of them buying steel for a project was Ron Amason, who operates Lil' Beaver Excavation. You may recall that Willie had suffered severe burns about the time he opened his business when working on a vehicle, splashing gasoline onto his chest, hand and beard. The only problem he has is with thin skin caused by the burns to his right hand and lips.
Just Plain Talk - Metal man doing just fine
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
STOKELY WILLIE R LINDA G [NOT GIVEN] COCKE 08-31-1991 38636
- [S131] Divorce Record.
Husband's Name Wife's First Name Wife's Maiden Name County Court Date of Divorce File #
STOKELY WILLIE R LINDA G SANE COCKE CIRCUIT 04-14-2008 08304
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