It is with great sadness that we receive the news of William's death. William died over the weekend aged 108 years.
William Stone served 27 years with Britain's Royal Navy, spanning both world wars.
Born September 23, 1900, Stone first tried to join the Royal Navy aged just 15, but his father refused to sign off on the attempt because he already had three elder sons serving in the military.
On his 18th birthday, though, Stone signed up to the Navy and first sailed with the battlecruiser HMS Tiger, before joining the Hood from 1922 to 1924.
Stone's wife Lily, whom he married in 1938, died in 1995, and he is survived by his daughter Anne, who was born in 1939.
William was a great friend to the Western Front Association. He will be greatly missed by every member.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family.
Bruce Simpson
The BBC's announcement of William's passing.
