Michael Dixon Stophel Sr., age 74, of Wilmington, passed away on the evening of March 1, 2022. He was the son of the late C.C. and Sarah Lucy Stophel of Whiteville, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Barbara Lynn Williamson Stophel.
Michael was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Whiteville, NC. He worked for the NC DMV for 30 yrs, an auxiliary police officer with Wrightsville Beach, Sheriff’s Deputy with Pender and New Hanover Counties, as well as a member of Whiteville Rescue Squad and Ogden Rescue Squad. He loved John Wayne movies, reloading, and fishing, until his shoulder surgery. He loved spending time with his sons, when he could, and especially loved retirement after Lynn retired. They enjoyed going to the mountains and seeing the colors change from summer to fall. He loved his Lord, his church families, Roscoe (Brent and Chandi’s boxer), Carolina Tar Heels (Blue Bellies as he liked to call them) and his grandkids.
Survivors include, brothers; Charles (Barbara) of Surf City, NC, Philip (Faye) of Wilmington, sister; Cathy of Wilmington, sons; Michael (Lisa) of Rocky Point, NC, and Brent (Chandi) of Burgaw, NC, and grandchildren; MacKenzie, Tyler, Dara and Ronan, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Whiteville, NC on April 23, 2022 at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 307 S. Franklin Street, Whiteville, NC 28472 or Lower Cape Fear Hospice of Wilmington, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
McKenzie Mortuary, 112 Jefferson St., Whiteville, NC, is serving the Stophel Family.
