Charles Joseph "Joe" Stiltner, age 66, of Bland, VA passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025. He was born June 3, 1959 in Wythe County and was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Scott Stiltner and Kevin Stiltner.

"Big Joe", as he was so well known to most everyone around him, was just that. Larger than life. His tiny little momma knew at a very young age that he was going to be somewhat different than the rest of them. As this little boy grew into a big ole man, he soon became what no one could have ever expected. Most of his classmates and friends knew him for his silly jokes and his crazy antics and his family knew him as a fun loving, hardworking, church going guy. He was blessed to be able to excel in a sport that caused much talk and brought many more people into his life. Even though he was non chalantly breaking and creating state records, he was still just the humble gentle giant that everyone grew to know and love. As his sports career came to a close, he spent the rest of his life working just as hard as his family had shown him to do.  Most of his adult life was spent behind the wheel of a big truck. Of all the things he knew to do, Big Joe was a driver. Not only of big rigs but he also loved to spend time on the open road in the open air on his Harley. It didn't matter to him what vehicle it was but he loved to feel that freeness of the open road. If he wasn't cruising on his bike, he was standing beside a creek bank or sitting in a tree stand. His love for the outdoors was immense. As his body began to get weak, he wasn't able to spend as much time on the open road or in the outdoors as he would have liked but he was able to take time to spend with his family and to reflect back on the life that had brought him to his retirement. His love for gospel music and his roots in the church brought him back to the place where he found his first love. He would spend countless hours listening to his favorite group, The Primitive Quartet or listening to one of his favorite preachers.  He loved all the grand babies and that one little great grandbaby to the fullest. His love for his family was so strong and his love for the Lord was even stronger. His family was his rock. With that, God brought him full circle and on July 21st 2024, he gave his life back to the Lord. He rededicated his life and restarted his journey of laying up treasures in heaven. As he began his retirement in February 2025, he was dedicated to spending the rest of this life serving God. As his body began to grow weaker, his faith in the Lord only grew stronger. He kept the faith and told everyone he could that " he was gonna fight til he couldn't fight no more". On July 20th 2025, the Lord decided his fight was over. He praised God for what He had done in his life and he praised God for what He was about to do. His saying became, "I'm a winner either way". His testimony will live on through his family and friends.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7 NKJV

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Edwards Stiltner; a daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Anthony Sanders of Bland; a son and daughter-in-law, Charlie and Kristina Stiltner of Wytheville; his mother, Elizabeth Lambert Stiltner of Bland; his father, Charles Edward Stiltner of Tazewell; a sister, Melissa Hartig of Tazewell; a half-brother, Mike and Robin Stiltner of Rosedell, VA; special aunt, Sally Edwards of Bland; 7 grandchildren, Celeste, Caleb, Arianna, Ryker, Brooke, Danielle and Emma; a great-grandchild, Oakley.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Bland Chapel with the Reverend Leroy Long and Reverend Derek Cowan officiating. Burial will follow in Old Bethel Cemetery in Ceres, VA.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bland Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bland Funeral Chapel to assist the family with funeral expenses.

Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, VA is serving the Stiltner family.