WILLIAM STEVENSON

William Arthur Stevenson Gone Fishin' William A. Stevenson, 80, died of natural causes at his home in Salt Lake City on May 19, 2010. Known by all as "Bill", he was born July 31, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI to William C. and Octavia M. Stevenson. Raised in West Allis, WI, upon high school graduation entered the Army, serving for one year at Fort Lewis, WA. In 1949 he moved to Laramie, WY to attend the Univ. of WY on a football scholarship. He played on the Univ. of WY tennis team and was a boxing champion. While attending the Univ. of WY, he met and married Mary Lee McCoy in 1953, the same year obtaining a B.S. in P. E. They moved to Fort Leonard Wood, MO and then to Fort Benning, GA as he was now on active duty in the Army. He was a Company Commander and became a First Lt. After his honorable service, Bill and Mary Lee returned to Laramie for additional education. They moved to SLC in 1958, where he remained until his death last week. He was very active in Utah politics, serving as Salt Lake County and UT State Republican Chairman, working on and fundraising for various campaigns over the past four decades. A hard worker, Bill was self-employed in the oil and gas exploration industry. Other activities he enjoyed were skiing, fly fishing, spending time with family, being a devoted member of The First Presbyterian Church of SLC where he served as a Deacon. Throughout the years he organized fundraising events for elementary school children, allowing kids to have books, gloves, hats and shoes for Christmas. He suffered a tragic loss January 13, 2008 when his daughter Debbie passed. He is survived by former wife Mary Lee, their children Don (Susan), Susan, Cynthia, and Richard (Julie); 10 grandchildren, Caressa (Jeremiah) Lehr, Gavin and Chloe Salee, Brynna, Graham, McCoy, Garrett, Nash, and twins Westan and Savannah; siblings Ruth Maretich and Bob Stevenson. Funeral services will be held on Tues., May 25, at The First Presbyterian Church of SLC located on South Temple and C Street at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Mtn. View Memorial Estates, 3115 East 7800 South. In lieu of flowers, contributions may me made to benefit the literacy needs of families and young children at www.naeyc.org or www.famlit.org