Shelbyville, Tenn., farrier William Louis “Louie” Staton passed suddenly Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Shelbyville. He was 70.

Staton shod horses for many years, including serving decades as the official farrier of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.

“I loved him and I’ll sure miss talking to him,” wrote John Schmidt, a Shelbyville farrier, in a Facebook post. “He was absolutely a man of huge faith and I know he’s in a better place.”

Staton shod horses for the late Jeff Willis, a Walking Horse trainer of dozens of champions in Alabama and Tennessee.

“He was shoeing a lot for Jeff Willis back in the day,” wrote Alice Klein, owner of Alice Klein Equestrians. “Rest in peace, Louie. I hope you and Jeff will be watching good horses in the heavens together.”

Staton will be cremated. No services will take place.