Roll Call Tribute

Stevens Funeral Home obituary

Dateline: Abilene, Texas

Name: Mr. William Ames "Bill" Stephenson, 80

Died: Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Abilene, Texas

Services:
Bill Stephenson, a long time native of Coleman Texas, died at home in Abilene after a brief illness. He was born William Ames Stephenson in Coleman on Jan 11, 1932 to William Scott and Stella Ames Stephenson, attended Coleman Schools graduating from Coleman High School in 1949. He was a graduate of Texas A&M College class of 1953. As a Former Student, his class was inducted into the TAM Sul Ross Group in 2008.

Bill married Joy Lindsey, from Borger Texas, on October 15, 1953 and lived as husband and wife in College Station until graduation, returning to Coleman briefly until he was inducted into the US Army in March 1954 stationed in El Paso, Texas.

After his duties were complete with the Army, Bill and Joy returned to Coleman to make it their home. There they raised a family...Lindi, Ami and Steve... working and owning several businesses.

During his Coleman years Bill was very active in the community. He was a boy scout leader and volunteer, little league baseball coach, 20 year member of the volunteer fire department, six years on the Coleman School Board, serving as president for several years , Coleman Country Club Board, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge, he was a Master Mason for more than 50 years, 25 years with the Coleman Rodeo Association, Elder in the First Christian Church, board of directors for Coleman Chamber of Commerce, and instrumental in organizing the Coleman Betterment Council serving as their first president, and member of the Rotary Club for many years. In 1981 Bill received the honor of "Citizen of the Year" award from the Coleman Chamber of Commerce.

In 1984, Bill and Joy sold their business in Coleman and moved to Austin where he worked for Nash Phillips/Copus Home Builders, then Senior Purchaser for Austin ISD.

Joy died on January 8,1992 in Austin and he married Frances Patton Burger in Abilene on December 30, 1993.

Frances and Bill soon made their home in Abilene where he sold real estate for Dalzell Realtors until retirement. He was a member of the First Central Presbyterian church where he served as elder and was a Stephen Minister. He worked on of the board on the Abilene volunteer weatherization program for many years having served as chairman of the board. He was a member of the Abilene Aggie Club.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Stephenson, Stella Jones; sister, Pauline Schick; step father, Bill Jones; first wife, Joy Stephenson; and grandson, Taylor Stephenson.

Survivors include his wife, Frances, his Children Lindi Armstrong (Danny) of Coleman, Ami Sides (Monte) of Mission and Steve Stephenson (Krista) of Tyler and one step sister, Myra True of Dallas. Also, Bill had four step children, Patti Lou (Jimmy) Elliott of Dallas, Bill Burger(Toni) of Superior CO, Linda Burger of San Antonio, Kathryn Sonenshine (Scott) of Ashland, Oregon, 16 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Visitation for Bill will be held Friday, October 26th at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street in Coleman from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Graveside service will be held Saturday, October 27th at the Coleman Cemetery Pavilion at 10:00 am., followed by a memorial service at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange Street in Abilene at 2:00 pm.

Family requests memorials be sent to United Christian and Presbyterian Church in Coleman or First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene or charity of choice.
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Sent by stepson

William A. “Bill” Stephenson ’53, 80, of Abilene (formerly of Coleman) died October 23, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army. He was the owner of Steve’s Ready Mix and Coleman Building Materials in Coleman, and was very active in the community; serving on the Coleman School Board, and as a member of the Coleman Rodeo Association and the Coleman Chamber of Commerce. He later moved to Austin and subsequently to Abilene where he sold real estate until retirement. His wife of 39 years, Joy passed away in 1992. Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Frances, a son, two daughters, 16 grandchildren, including Andy Armstrong ’01, 11 great-grandchildren, and Frances’ 4 children.