Norman Wayne Stephens

Norman Wayne Stephens of Talladega, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 12, 2025. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega with Rev. Dan Mattox and Mike Farmer officiating. His family will receive friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Pine Hill Memorial Park.

Norman was a native of Talladega and spent part of his childhood in Childersburg. He was a brawny football player at Talladega High School, where he graduated in 1962. He was a Vietnam solider for the U.S. Army from 1967-69, the most harrowing years of the war. He served in the 164th Aviation Group, part of the 1st Aviation Brigade. He received the Air Medal for Heroism as a door gunner aboard a UH-1D after retrieving an Air Force pilot who had ejected from his aircraft. Norman and his other gunner left their aircraft, into a flooded rice paddy, to find the pilot beyond help. As enemy fire raked the area, they quickly cut him from his parachute and harness and carried him back to their aircraft, over 100 yards away. He and his airborne squad escaped, unscathed, and flew the soldier's body to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, the busiest airport in the world at the time. Norman said it was one of two times he went to the base near Saigon; the other time was to have ice cream, and he thought it was the biggest treat. During his two terms of service in the war, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. He began work for Kimberly-Clark where he trained as an electrician through an IBEW apprenticeship, later retiring from U.S. Alliance after 29 years. Never one to slow down, he became a U.S. government contractor and, for several years, worked in dozens of countries and at U.S. embassies around the world. Vienna and Rio de Janeiro were some of the highlights; Havana, not so much, especially since his and his co-worker's PCs were riddled with malware. Between "retirement" and "un-retirement," he proudly earned an Associate of Science degree from Gadsden State Community College, but he talked the most about enjoying his art electives as a student. He was a decades-long Tide Pride member and loved tailgating and attending University of Alabama football games at Bryant-Denny in Tuscaloosa. He could go without NFL football, though. He was a proud Poppi and adored his grandchildren, Katie Ann (Little Pig) and Peyton (Big Boy).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Jacquelyn Avery Stephens; his sister Patricia Stephens Farmer; and niece Chelly Watson.

Mr. Stephens is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judie Mattox Stephens; daughter, Leah Stephens Nichols (Paul); daughter, Erin Stephens (Gina); grandchildren, Katherine Ann and Peyton Mattox Nichols; twin sister, Jayne Stephens Watson; brother, Milton Stephens (Glenda), and several nieces and nephews.

Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Funderburg, Wayne Armbrester, and members of the Talladega High School 1962 football team.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Stephens' family asks that you make a donation in his memory to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.