Tributes made to Proctorville mayor

Published 12:00 am Sunday, July 31, 2011

PROCTORVILLE — With its owner’s jean jacket draped over the seat, the motorcycle Sam Stapleton loved to ride stood like a silent sentry outside Hall Funeral Home, watching over those coming to pay their last respects to the man they loved and admired.

Friends, village colleagues and family filled the parlors of the funeral home as the flag-draped casket of Proctorville Mayor Charles “Sam” Stapleton lay there in repose Saturday morning.

Stapleton died Tuesday evening, about two weeks before his 67th birthday, at his home following a long battle with cancer. He had served as mayor since January 2008.

Email newsletter signup

The service began with 15 members of the VFW Post 6878 saluting the casket while the Civil War theme of emancipation, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” played softly in the background. Then Dolphus Perry of the post read “A Soldier’s Prayer.”

“I saw a soldier kneeling down, for this was the first quiet place he had found,” Perry read. “His hands were scarred and toil worn. He had fought from night ‘til morn. He spoke to God and this is what he said: ‘God bless my men, who now lie dead … they have fought their best and did so with pride. … the price of freedom, they’ve already paid.’”

Following the recording of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” Randy Thompson, a pastor and a member of the Proctorville police force, gave the eulogy.

“This is a time to remember a man, to honor a man,” Thompson said. “If you didn’t know Sam well, it appeared he was a bit gruff, quite gruff. As I got to know Sam, I found him to be a different person.”

With his voice breaking Thompson likened the Vietnam veteran and Navy and Air Force career man to a child’s favorite candy treat — S’mores.

“Graham cracker on the outside,” he said. “Marshmallow on the inside. Hard on the outside, sweet on the inside.”

Stapleton, who was known throughout the village for providing Christmas toys for needy children, was remembered for his selfless generosity and integrity.

“He had compassion for the poor,” Thompson said. “Sam was a man of authority. He was the mayor, the boss. What he said, he meant. What he meant, he said. … Now Sam is in a place where there are no more tears and no more sorrow.”

Following the service, Stapleton was laid to rest at Miller Memorial Gardens with graveside rites by the VFW Post.