William Stephens

William J. Stephens - 11/04/2002 William J. Stephens - 11/04/2002 WILLIAM J. STEPHENS IDAHO FALLS, ID -- William Joseph “Bill” Stephens, 78, of Idaho Falls, passed away November 4, 2002, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. He was born April 12, 1924 in Tornado, West Virginia, the second of three sons born to Thomas Clayton and Bessie Sparks Stephens. He attended St. Albans High School, where he loved playing football. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He married Betty Jane McNealy January 10, 1942 and they were later divorced. In early 1943 he enlisted in the armed services and had basic training in Shelby, Mississippi. As part of Co. C202 Combat Engineer Battalion he was transferred to England and Ireland, where they were stationed until participating in the Normandy Invasion. Just weeks before the surrender of Germany he was wounded in action and spent many months in the hospital. After his discharge Bill trained with the Geological Survey and Army Map Service, which took him to numerous states. He later traveled aboard U.S. Navy ships to many foreign countries and the Gulf of Mexico. After retirement from Government service he was employed by K-Mart Corp. as a project representative for construction and remodeling of stores in over ten states. He married Dena Chadwick Perry in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 19, 1978. Together they owned and operated a Real Estate Office, where Bill specialized in appraisals and property management, until poor health made retirement necessary. Surviving are:Wife: Dena Stephens, Idaho Falls, IDSon: William Clayton Stephens, Bullock, NCDaughter: Donnis Jo [William] Travers, Amherst, VABrother: Kenneth Ray [Eva] Stephens, Hurricane, WVStepson: DeRay [Carol] Perry, Idaho Falls, IDStepson: Allen [Marilyn] Perry, Idaho Falls, IDStepson: Kevin [Kelly] Perry, Idaho Falls, IDStepson: Douglas [Candice] Perry, Seal Beach, CAStepson: Jeff [Sally] Perry, Idaho Falls, IDStepdaughter: Teresa [Harrison] Cox, Shelley, ID 4 Grandchildren & 2 Great Grandchildren, 14 Step Grandchildren & 11 Step Great GrandchildrenHe was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas Clayton Stephens, Jr. Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2002, at the Wood Chapel of the Pines, 273 North Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends for one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the chapel. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-4092 Phone: (208) 522-2751 FAX: (208) 522-5413 Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team. If you would like to offer your condolences fill in the form below. Name E-Mail Message [ Previous Obituary - Vvs Josephson | Current Obituary | Next Obituary - Douglas Smith ]