The Texas Arabian Breeders Association and the entire industry lost a dear friend and tireless advocate for the Arabian breed. Bill passed away at his home in Fairview, Texas on Friday evening, May 17 at his beloved Tranquility Farm. Awaiting an angioplasty procedure for his heart, he was visited by a good friend on Saturday morning who found him reclining peacefully in his favorite chair. Bill was 77 years old. Bill's favorite stallion at the farm, the straight Russian Muscat son Nokitov, died two days later- friends only presume at the call of his master.
Bill Stokes had a full and impressive life and was supercharged from his early beginnings until his very last day. Bill attended college at East Texas State Teacher's College, the University of Texas, and Sam Houston University earning a BA Degree, Master of Arts Degree and a Masters Degree in Vocational Education. He taught for 10 years, teaching vocational agriculture to veterans returning from service in WWII and students at Wilmer Hutchins High School. He later taught photography at Irving High School. He always took pride in his agricultural and photography background, especially his Grand Champion Hogs exibited at the State Fair of Texas and his 17 Merit Awards from the Professional Photographers Association of America.
In 1956, Bill left the teaching profession and joined Southwest Film Center to begin his career in the motion picture film and video business. In 1958 he joined the Jamieson Film Company as their Vice President of Marketing. In 1965 he left to form his own company, Bill Stokes Associates, later known as The Stokes Group. In 1966 he made arrangements with Warren Beatty and Warner Brothers Pictures to provide sound stage and production services for the feature film "Bonnie and Clyde." This was the first of numerous feature films to utilize the company's services. As owner and CEO of The Stokes Group, his long career encompassed almost every aspect of the production process including the production of television and radio commercials, and corporate and documentary films. Bill was a pioneer in the development of educational filmstrips and multi-media production, and weathered the transition from film to video as the industry's primary production media.
For the last 25 years while continuing his daily company activities, Bill managed to renew his love of animals by becoming a prominent breeder of Arabian horses. As if management and development of his film production studio wasn't enough, Bill Stokes launched into Arabian horse breeding on a huge scale. With the basis of his early program originating in the 70´s from teachings and guidance of the late Howard Kale, importer of *Muscat, Bill was dedicated to the Russian Arabian bloodlines. He produced some of the best Arabian horse videos ("The Immortal Treasure" series) ever seen in the industry. His proud breeding of Russian and Russian bred horses carried him and his clients to National level wins in the show arena.
When Texas parimutual horseracing began and Arabians were given a part in the program, Bill was captified and dove headfirst into the effort. His breeding program with the Russian horses crossed over well into the racing venue, and he enjoyed success with multiple wins and awards for racing accomplishments. One of his first big winners, TF Damascus, was exported overseas. Even when Bill began to implement crossings of Sambor and other specific racing blood into segments of his herd to further refine his racing program, he never abandoned his progressive goals with Russian breeding lines. With a herd of new foals on the ground every year including this one, the success and results of Bill's Tranquillity Farm will have far reaching effects for the Arabian industry for years to come.
A fun loving and driven individual, Bill attracted an unimaginable number of people into the various disciplines involving Arabian horses. Among his horse organization leadership roles, he served on the board of directors for the Texas Arabian Breeders Association and was promotions chairman for many years. Bill was responsible for bringing many newcomers into the industry. His active participation and leadership made a tremendous impact in bolstering Arabian racing. He was energetic and generous to a fault. He believed you never can give anything too much- it will always come back to you. He amassed not only clients, but a myriad of lifelong friends who shared his enthusiasm for the Arabian horse.
Bill is survived by his two sons, Dean Stokes and Don Stokes, his grandson Zeb, his sister Jean Stokes Bilson, and brothers M.R., Jerry, John and Jackie Stokes, numerous cousins, nephews and nieces, and countless friends and associates. Bill leaves a us a legacy, not only in his accomplishments of his teaching, the motion picture industry or in the great horses he produced but in the spirit of all those he impacted throughout his life. Those who knew him well never thought he would be gone from us, and in reality he won't. His vision will live forever.
Encouraging Growth of the Arabian Horse Industry. TABA. P.O. Box 215. Forney, Texas 75126. 972-564-9430. Fax 972-552-3613
