HERRIN - Those who knew James L. Stacey best said he would help out anyone at any time.

Stacy, 68, of Herrin was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m. Tuesday after a truck he was driving was recovered from a strip mine cut in Marion, according to a press release from Williamson County Coroner Mike Burke's office.

Stacy was traveling west on Crenshaw Road when his vehicle left the road and went into the water just east of Decatur Road in Marion. It is believed the accident happened sometime Tuesday morning, Burke added.

Family searching for Stacey came upon the accident. They had filed a missing person's report with Marion Police at about 5:20 p.m. The Williamson County Dive Team was called in to recover the completely submerged vehicle. The incident is under investigation by Burke, the Williamson County Sheriff's Department and the Marion Police Department.

Stacey was driving a pickup truck that belonged to the apartment complex where he lived, Cambridge Manor. A neighbor, Raymond Null, said Stacey often used the truck to do odd jobs for his neighbors.

Stacey's grandson, Brandon Massengill of Herrin, said his grandfather was known as a person who was reliable in offering help for anyone who asked.

"He was an honorable man who would do anything for anybody, especially his grandkids," Massengill said. "We're dearly going to miss him very, very much."

Null said Stacey's giving attitude had made him well liked by all who knew him.

"He was a very likeable guy," Null said. "He could walk from here to town and it seemed like he knew everyone."

Null described Stacey as someone who always had something to do, whether it was helping out friends or just taking a morning walk. Null said Stacey was a "helpful" person and will be missed.

"I know everyone lost a good friend," Null said.