William ‘Bill’ Stephens
William (Bill) Stephens, Jr. went to be with the Lord Aug. 7, 2021, at the age of 79. Bill was born Sept. 9, 1941, to Catherine and W.R. Stephens in Brownwood, Texas. He was the eldest of three children. The family moved in 1952 to Stigler, Okla. When Bill was 11 years old, he started the fifth grade at Rucker School. The following year, he transferred to Stigler and graduated with the Class of 1960, where he was Student Council Vice President. His activities included FFA President, two consecutive terms; high school band; and high school football. After graduation, Bill attended Eastern Oklahoma A&M and ultimately received a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
After college, Bill joined the Army Reserve and later embarked on a corporate job as a national account executive for the Coca-Cola Company. He was a fountain drink representative for major fast food and convenience store chains for 31 years.
In 1963, he married the love of his life, Gwenda. They were happily married for 58 years. They enjoyed many wonderful times together with their only daughter, Cathy. The best and most recent years were spent enjoying every minute with their only granddaughter, Gracie Marie.
Bill always had a contagious smile and a friendly demeanor. Will Rogers quoted, “I never met a man I didn’t like,” we never met a human being that did not like Bill Stephens. Other than his work and family, he was a 32nd Degree Freemason and had a real passion for team roping, golf and Bob Wills music. He had the fondest memories of growing up in Stigler.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, W.R. and Catherine Sue Stephens; his brother, John G. Stephens; and his son-in-law, Trevor Lawrence.
He is survived by his wife Gwenda; daughter, Cathy; and granddaughter, Gracie of Norman, Okla.; sister, Jan Brooks; nephew, Robert; and niece, Laurie of Houston, Texas; sister-in-law, Betty Sissel of Broken Arrow, Okla.; niece, Pam Rogers of Kinta, Okla.; and nephew, Rod Acker of Edmond, Okla.
Family visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021, at Mallory Chapel in Stigler, 204 N.E. F Street, Stigler, Okla.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at 2 p.m. at Stigler First United Methodist Church, 502 N. Broadway, Stigler, Okla., with the Rev. Tim Perkins, Doug Harvell and the Rev. Dr. Jim Hill officiating. Interment will follow at Sans Bois Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory of Stigler.