Meet the Stoddards at Dependable Automotive Service in Monticello

by Sally Jack
Contributing writer
Meet Brad and Billie Jo Stoddard, owners and operators of Dependable Automotive Service located at 380 South 100 East in Monticello.
A granddaughter of Frost and Lucille Black, and a graduate of San Juan High School, Billie Jo is a Blanding girl, while Brad hails from Texas.
For nearly 13 years they called San Marcos, Texas, home, where they lived next to Brad’s parents on 24 acres of family-owned land in the Texas hill country. They loved the people there.
During his career as a certified Master Mechanic, Brad worked at a variety of auto repair shops including San Marcos Toyota and Texas Auto Center. Then Brad began to feel that the time was right for him to go independent and set up a shop of his own.
They took a few trips to Utah to look at some mechanic shops for sale in Tooele, Midvale, and in the Salt Lake area. All were great opportunities. Still, nothing seemed quite right.
Then Billie Jo’s beloved aunt Rene Pincock passed away and they came to Blanding for the funeral. On a whim, Billie Jo made arrangements to look at a house for sale in Blanding before they went back to Texas.
They told the realtor they would love to be closer to family but had no plans to move here, because there were no shops available for purchase in the area.
That’s when they found out that Devon’s Repair in Monticello was up for sale! When they learned that there was also a real need for mechanics in the area, it felt too perfect to be a coincidence.
Moving to San Juan County meant that they would be more evenly distanced between their six children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren and they would also be able to spend precious time with Billie Jo’s mother, who lives in Blanding.
In addition to family, Billie Jo said she missed the mountains, while the pine trees, trout, cooler weather, and less traffic were a big draw for Brad.
Brad worked on purchasing and opening the doors for Dependable Automotive, while Billie Jo stayed behind in Texas to help her in-laws and to hopefully sell their house. Brad’s father began to have a series of mini strokes and Billie Jo was able to be with Brad’s father when he passed away in April of 2023.
Billie Jo has since been able to join Brad in Monticello, along with Brad’s mother, Kathy.
Brad comes to Dependable Automotive with 35 years of experience in auto mechanics. He is able to repair all makes and models of cars and trucks. Brad worked as a Toyota ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Master Technician for 25 plus years.
He is able to diagnose and repair Toyota vehicles from bumper to bumper, and he is Toyota Hybrid certified. Brad is also a certified Chrysler Master Mechanic, and a member of the Jaguar Master Guild.
Thanks to a state-of-the-art tire alignment machine at Dependable Automotive, people in Monticello will no longer have to go out of town to have their tires aligned.
Brad has a Shop Management Program he uses so he can give you an accurate estimate. Financing with Dependable is now available for customers who are interested in setting up a payment plan.
Brad is always learning and moving forward. He feels it’s important to stay up-to-date in his type of business as people want the best care for their cars.
One of his favorite quotes is: A car is like a marriage — If you don’t take care of it, you’re gonna lose it.
Billie Jo comes with her own set of skills. She worked as a machinist for 13 years, with 10 plus years as a machinist at Hill Air Force Base. Billie Jo is currently training to take care of the book work and office details for their business. She enjoys being able to visit her mom (Oaine Foy) on Sunday evenings.
Dependable Automotive Service wants to serve the community as well as grow their business. They are looking for mechanics and employees who would like to be a part of their team, and are willing to train those who are serious about a career in the automotive repair industry. They are glad to be in Monticello and look forward to meeting you, so if you haven’t already done so, come on down to Dependable Automotive Service and meet the Stoddards.