Stephen Wentworth Sellers

1926 - 2025

Stephen Wentworth Sellers

October 6, 1926 - September 30, 2025

Richmond, Missouri - Stephen Wentworth Sellers passed away September 30, 2025 at Oak Ridge Assisted Living in Richmond, Missouri. He was 98 years old. Stephen was born October 6, 1926 in Kansas City to James McBrayer Sellers and Rebekah Evan Sellers.

Steve grew up in Lexington, Missouri, on the campus of Wentworth Military Academy, where his father was superintendent. He attended Wentworth Military Academy, where he played tuba in the marching band. As a high school senior, upon turning seventeen in 1943, Steve visited a Navy recruiter seeking to enlist. The recruiter prevailed upon him to finish high school first and then return. Upon graduation in June 1944 Steve enlisted in the Navy. He served on a destroyer near the US west coast, patrolling for enemy submarine activity. He was discharged in 1946. Steve then enrolled at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, graduating in 1950 with a BA in history.

After college, he joined the Air Force and became a navigator. His 20 years of service included combat missions from Japan during the Korean War and from the Philippines during the Vietnam war. He also flew reconnaissance over Vietnam. During a 1962 peacetime mission, Steve was part of a B-50 crew, whose wing caught fire near Bermuda at 13,000 feet, necessitating a bailout. Two members of the ground crew were on board as passengers; one panicked and wouldn't jump. As a result, he and the pilot, Steve's friend Curley, both went down with the plane and were killed. Steve and the other surviving crew members were recovered from the water by helicopter.

Having retired from the Air Force with the rank of major, Steve went on to obtain a Master of History from North Texas State College (University of North Texas). He then returned to Wentworth Military Academy as a teacher, where his brother Mac was serving as superintendent. In 1981 he married his third wife Wilma Hart Cox, and retired from Wentworth's faculty the following year.

Steve never lost his love for aviation. He owned several small planes, including a Luscombe Silvaire and ERCO Ercoupe. He brought a sense of fun and mischief to this pursuit: for example, his parents lived on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, enabling him to fly over the river at eye level with their picture window and he also flew tree top level over Rogge Farms, tipping the wing to wave.

This sense of humor persisted long after Steve's flying days were over. At age 86, he was giving a driving tour around Lexington, with Wilma, his nephew and niece-in-law. After Wilma had questioned his route choices, Steve quipped "See, this is what happens to an old navigator."

Steve always maintained a close relationship with his only son, Bill. They were both audiophiles and shared a love for collecting and discussing music. He was especially a fan of big band jazz, a fondness he helped bequeath to his younger brother, son, and nephew, among others.

Steve was always known as a kind and gentle soul. According to his stepdaughter Linda, "If you look up 'gentleman' in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of my dad, Steve." Even in his final years at a memory-care facility, he developed a reputation for helping out other residents, always remaining a gentleman.

Steve delighted in being involved in activities with his blended family. Holidays and birthdays were spent with family. He enjoyed attending school activities such as, Grandparents Day, sporting events and graduations.

Steve launched his grandson, Brigadier General Roderick Laughman, on his military career by officially swearing him into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.

Steve was active in the Masonic Lodge, Shrine Club, the Lexington Historical Society Museum, and Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir. Steve and Wilma had many adventures as world travelers.

Steve was predeceased by his parents James M. and Rebekah Sellers, his first wife, Sarah Sellers, ex-wife Jerelyn Doyle Sellers, wife Wilma Sellers, brother James McBrayer Sellers Jr., son William Sandford Sellers, and step-son-in-law, Lyle Laughman.

He is survived by his brother Fred Sellers (Kathy), sister-in-law, Elizabeth Sellers, daughter-in-law Rachel Demascal Sellers and stepdaughters, Sharon Laughman, Linda Rogge (Kent). Grandchildren: Serena Sellers, Dylan Sellers, Christopher Laughman (Tammy), Roderick Laughman (Collene), Konrad Laughman (Rebecca), Erich Rogge (Dana), and Erin Cullen, (John). Also twelve great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and five nephews and one niece.

Services will be held October 13, 2025 at the Presbyterian-Disciples Church at 914 Franklin, Lexington, MO. Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 am followed by the funeral at 11:00am. Interment will be in Machpelah Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Disciples Church.

Masonic Services and Military Honors.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington, MO 64067, 660-259-2245. Memories and condolences may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com.