Dr. James W. "Jim" Stephens

Dr. James W. "Jim" Stephens, age 76, of Hillsdale, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Drews Place Village Green Assisted Living in Hillsdale. He was born October 28, 1949, in Seattle, Washington to Eugene and Jean (Whyte) Stephens, and both preceded him in death.
Jim graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, and received his bachelor's degree from Yale University. He went on to complete his PhD at Princeton University before accepting employment first as a professor at the University of New Hampshire, then at Purdue University in Indiana, before settling into his final academic home at Hillsdale College. For over 30 years he was a much-beloved professor of Philosophy at Hillsdale, specializing in the classical period of Ancient Greece.
From a young age, Jim enjoyed hiking and fishing with his father and brothers. He continued his love of the outdoors as an avid fly fisherman, canoeist, and camper, taking many fishing trips to northern Michigan in canoes he built himself. Jim also loved the theatre and appeared in many plays with the Hillsdale College Theatre troupe, The Tower Players, creating, among other roles, King Duncan in Macbeth, King Cymbeline in Cymbeline, Lord Montague in Romeo and Juliet, and Father Jack, in Dancing at Lughnasa. He even acted professionally in small roles for two seasons with The Michigan Shakespeare Festival. He travelled extensively with the Tower Players to theatre festivals in Scotland and Canada. Jim was a talented musician who was widely known as an expert bagpipe player and mainstay of the Hillsdale College bagpipe ensemble, Tulloch Ard. He was equally adept at playing the guitar, particularly bass, and amassed a remarkable collection of guitars, banjos, dulcimers and other stringed instruments.
Survivors include two brothers, Jack (Ellen O'Neil-Stephens) Stephens of Seattle, and Gene (Carol Stiles Hill Stephens) Stephens of Nashville; one cousin, Bill Forland of Seattle; one nephew, Brian (Katie) Stephens; one niece, Allison (Nick) Prange; his best friend and fly-fishing partner, George Angell; and his extended Hillsdale College family.
At Jim's request, cremation will take place and there will be no service at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to the VanHorn-Eagle Funeral Home in Hillsdale.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Audubon Society or Sierra Club.