Services for William Gaines Stephens will be at 11:00 AM today at Crestwood memorial Chapel. The Reverends Lauil Thompson and Bill Drummond will officiate. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home will direct services.
Mr. Stephens, age 78, of Southside passed away on February 3, 2011. He was born in Etowah County and grew up in Whortons Bend. He served honorably for four years in the United States Navy. He received his college education through four years at Jacksonville State University. William spent his career with the United States Defense Logistics Agency from July 7, 1957 until July 31, 1987. He received the Meritorious Civilian Award for his service to our Government. Bill and his wife, Yvonne, moved back home to Alabama after his retirement. Bill was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He loved gardening and working in the yard. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Fannie Sue Stephens; and two sisters Gail Jones and Clara Tona.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Yvonne Stephens; sons Larry Don (Bridgett) Stephens, and Charles Earl Stephens and his family (Rosa, Edwardo, and Nicholas), both sons reside in Georgia. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce (Bud) Parris; two grandsons; two great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill will be surely missed by all who knew him.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Special Thanks go to the doctors and nursing staff of Riverview Regional Medical Center; the nurses and nursing assistants of Alacare Hospice, with special thanks to Nurse Tanya Burns and Nurses Aid Karren Helms.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home today one hour prior to the service.