Ronald Neil Stephens

RONALD NEIL STEPHENS Chief Ronald Neil Stephens, age 89 of White Lake, Michigan. Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 29, 2025. A man of multiples all his life, Ron was a farmer boy from Up North who milked the cows before school and walked 11 miles back home after football practice - and a fearless Detroit City policeman who earned a BS in Criminal Justice at Wayne State University at night, rising to the rank of Inspector in Detroit and Chief of Police in White Lake Township. He loved his cabin in the woods, stalking deer with his hunting buddies, and traveling to exotic places with his wife Carol and their gang of treasured friends. His friendships lasted lifetimes and his loyalty to his family knew no bounds. For his girls, his good grace and stamina on those long hot days of summer at Cedar Point and the long drives home at midnight were super powers. He was the heart of the Friday matinee and dinner ritual for decades, and a role model on how to live a fun-filled and generous life. He was also a proud US Army veteran, and he was posted in Korea at the end of the war. He taught his girls to love their country and stand up straight for the National Anthem. His was a beautiful life marked by laughter, friendship, and service to others, and he was well-loved in return. Ron was preceded in death by mere days by his beautiful and elegant wife Carol Joyce (Sanders) Stephens, caring for her in her hour of need with great love and patience. He is survived by his daughters Alison Joy Sykes (Mark Sykes) and Sandra Carol Stephens Galvin (Jim Galvin), grandchildren Thomas and Eric Leach and Scarlett and Tess Galvin, and his brother Douglas Stephens. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Rd., White Lake, Michigan 48386. The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am until the time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, Chief Stephens and the family would be honored by donations to the White Lake Police Foundation.