William Stephenson
Bethalto |
William “Bill” F. Stephenson, 88, passed away at 1:05 am Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton with his family by his side.
He was born on August 14, 1923 in Eldorado, IL, the son of W. Floyd & Muriel (Williams) Stephenson.
He married Lucille “Lucy” Stephenson on February 9, 1947 in Fosterburg, IL. She passed away on August 19, 2011.
Bill started his employment at Olin as a guard until he joined the United States Army where he served his country during WWII, from 1943 until 1946. When returning from the war he became an Ins Agent for Metropolitan Life INS Co and retired from there. He then helped Dugger Pool in Bethalto as a pool installer and help with maintenance. Bill proudly served as the Mayor of the Village of Bethalto from1981 until 1997. He was a member of the Bethalto United Methodist Church, charter member of the Bethalto Sprit Group, a 50 year member of the Masonic Brotherhood, the Bethalto American Legion Post 214 and the Bethalto Rotary Club where he held the honor of being a Paul Harris Fellow.
Bill is survived by a daughter, Janis Kay Stephenson of Bethalto, one son and daughter-in-law, Donald N. & Mary Lou Stephenson of Bethalto, one grandson, Bart Gregory Stephenson of Bethalto; one brother and sister-in-law, James & Mary Stephenson of Bethalto, one sister, Helen Crawford of Rosewood Heights, a sister-in-law, Sibyl Travis of Tennessee; several nieces and nephews and good friends.
In addition to his parents; he is preceded by his wife, two brothers, Jerry and Robert Eugene Stephenson and two brothers-in-law, Ralph Crawford and F.W. Pete Travis
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Monday, September 12, 2011 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto where funeral services will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 with Rev. John Tennyson officiating.
Burial will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with full military rites being conducted by the Bethalto American Legion Post 214.
Memorials may be made to the Bethalto United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
