William Stevens

William Olin Stevens VIRGINIA BEACH - William Olin "Bill" Stevens passed away Oct. 5, 2008. He was born in Norfolk County, now Chesapeake, Jan. 21, 1916. He grew up in the Oaklette-Indian River section of Chesapeake when the Indian River Bridge was a draw bridge and sailing schooners were pulled by rowboat up Indian River to be loaded with produce from farms located on the river. He remembered when a horse-drawn trolley came down Indian River Road across the bridge and into Norfolk Highlands. In his youth, he was an accomplished tennis player having learned how to play on a homemade court on Rountrey's property at the corner of Oaklette and Seneca. He was a member of Oaklette United Methodist Church. He was the last of a group of young men who grew up in the Oaklette section of Chesapeake during the 1920s and served their country during World War II, returned from the war to raise their families and continued to serve their communities and country throughout their lives. He joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and was discharged in 1946 as a chief petty officer. He spent his working career involved in all facets of the sign business. He and his wife Thelma operated Stevens Signs Co. for 20 years until their retirement in the early 90s. The business still operates today as Stevens-Harrell Sign Company and is owned by his former foreman and friend, Billy Harrell. He and Thelma were very active in the Virginia Sign Association and enjoyed many great times at the annual state conventions. After the passing of his wife Thelma, in 1997, he was blessed with 11 years of excellent health. He enjoyed traveling with his best friend and companion Faye Drinkard, eating out weekly with his granddaughter Jennifer, having coffee with his friends at McDonald's, and celebrating the holidays with his family. He was an avid golfer, having once shot 76 at Kempsville Greens from the senior tees when he was 86 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Thelma K. Stevens; his mother, Esther Olin Stevens; his sister, Georgie Thompson; and his brother, John F. Stevens. He is survived by three sons, Carl Olin Stevens and his wife Linda of Chesapeake, William A. Stevens and his wife Chris of Virginia Beach and Richard B. Stevens and his wife Judy of Virginia Beach; and four grandchildren, Ashleigh Knee and her husband Patrick of Herndon, Va., William A. Stevens Jr. of Virginia Beach, Jennifer Bartolomeo and her husband Bobby of Chesapeake and Whitney Stevens of Virginia Beach. Also left to cherish his memory are Faye Drinkard and Laura Stevens. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Forest Lawn Cemetery with the Rev. Chuck Mann officiating. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Indian River Chapel, Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Condolence may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.