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William Stephenson Obituary
William H. Stephenson, 79, of 1207 Poplar Ave., died Sunday. He was was a native of Johnston County, the son of the late W. Preston and Lois Partin Stephenson. He was a graduate of Cleveland High School, Hoyle's Business School, and the Government Executive Institute of the University of North Carolina.
Mr. Stephenson served as Chairman of the Wake County Board of Elections from 1964 to 1970. He was employed by the North Carolina Industrial Commission from 1948 to 1990, serving as Executive Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner and Chairman. In 1981, he was President of the Southern Association of Workers' Compensation Administrators. He was presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James B. Hunt in 1981. From 1992 to 1997, he was Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of Self- Insurers. In 1990, after his retirement from the Industrial Commission, He founded Stephenson Consultants, Inc. and served as a consultant to Industry and Labor from that time until a few weeks before his death.
He was a good husband, father and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Della Coats Stephenson, to who he was married for 58 years; two sons, Timothy Stephenson of Garner, Phillip Stephenson and his wife, Kim of Benson; three grandchildren, Krystal Ann Stephenson and Jonathan Preston Stephenson of Benson, John William Justin Stephenson of Louisville, KY; one brother, Roy L. Stephenson of Maryville, TN; one sister, Joan Page of Willow Spring; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one sister, Betty Dudley who predeceased him in 2006 and one brother, Shelby Stephenson who predeceased him in 1976.
Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Garner United Methodist Church, Garner. Burial will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park.
The family will be at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Benson Highway, Garner, on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The family request that flowers be omitted and that Memorials be made to: Garner United Methodist Church, to the Gifts Fund, Methodist Drive, Garner, N. C. 27529 or to his original home church, White Memorial Presbyterian Church, White Memorial Church Road, Willow Spring, NC 27592
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Stephenson
Justin(John) Stephenson
September 2, 2007
i miss my grandfather, a loving tender soul with strict moral values. Every moment I spent with him was happiness.
Him and I made a mean team when we cooked. His fried chicken was to die for. He was so modest and was such a
hard worker. He taught ton love your family, he taught me to work hard, and to play hard. He helped me to become a christian and emphasized the use of the bible and it's lessons in your everyday life.
I kissed his big bald head every chance I got. from my birth to his last , gasping breaths, I knew that
I was his world, and he was mine.
Gillie Spratt
August 30, 2007
Dear Mrs. Stephenson:
I was sorry to read about Bill's death. I first met Bill in 1973, when I was a brand new lawyer. I appeared in front of him on many occasions when he was a member of the Full Commission, and I talked to him numerous times between 1973 and his retirement.
I wanted to write you and let you know how much I thought of Bill. He was first rate in every respect.
Sincerely,
R. G. ("Gillie") Spratt
Kathy Sanders
August 23, 2007
I had the privilege of knowing William for 30 years and working with him both at the Industrial Commission and Teague Campbell. He was such a great listener and would always make time to talk with me. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. He will truly be missed.
Kathy Goforth
August 23, 2007
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a very special person and I feel very privileged to have known him. What Heaven has gained is a loss to this world.
Chris Mewborn
August 22, 2007
"Bill" was an invaluable resource and will be missed by all that knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat Benton
August 22, 2007
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I had the privilege of knowing William for many years in the world of workers compensation. He was a friend, a mentor and a genuinely wonderful person. We have lost a true southern gentleman. He will be missed.
Martha Barr
August 21, 2007
I have know William since 1970. He was like a father to me. He helped me become Chief Claims Examiner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission and was always there as an advisor and a friend. I loved him dearly. The world is diminished by his absence, but heaven is richer
Daisy Creech
August 21, 2007
May God bless and conform all your family during this time of sorrow. I am sorry I cannot get by to vist with you this evening. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
John E. Aldridge, Jr.
August 21, 2007
He always was there to give me advice and when I listened , he was always right.
Philip and Sheree Penny
August 21, 2007
We are privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and get to know Bill and to have had him as a neighbor. We know you will miss him terribly.
Phyllis Edwards
August 21, 2007
William was a fine man and friend to all. We are richer from having him on earth with us. God Bless You in your days ahead.
Tommy Yow
August 21, 2007
I regard it as one the privileges of my life to have known William Stephenson and to have worked with him at the Garner United Methodist Church, 67-70. He was a kind, generous and helpful person. Our condolences to his family.
Dinah Cauble
August 21, 2007
I had the honor and pleasure of knowing and working with William at Teague Campbell. He was a true friend and will be missed greatly. I ask God to be with each of his family during this time.
Maria Bynum
August 21, 2007
My memory of William "Bill" Stephenson was that of a brilliant workers' compensation judge. His knowledge of every aspect of workers' compensation was to be greatly admired. He was an excellent mentor. I will miss William very much. My deepest sympathy to his wife, Dell, and the family.
Maria Bynum
N.C. Industrial Commission
William Paschka
August 21, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
fred morrison
August 21, 2007
I am glad that the Good LORD allowed me to become friends with Bill who was always pleasant to me.
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