Dr. William Stephens

Dr. William F. “Bill” Stephens, 90, of Valdosta, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024, at his home. He was born on January 8, 1934, in Nashville, TN, to the late Wayman Walter Stephens and Virginia Pearl Shelton Stephens. He grew up in Pensacola and graduated from Pensacola High School in the early 1950’s. He was active in the Glee Club, played football and had been a lifeguard at Pensacola Beach. After high school he went to Florida State University where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, a part of the FSU circus and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, Dr. Stephens joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Before he left for Germany he met the former Gwendolyn Cavender at Daytona Beach. They corresponded during his army career, and after he retired from the army they married on September 19, 1959, in Charleston, West Virginia. A few years later he then went on to graduate with a Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. They lived briefly in Rhode Island, Pensacola, and Mississippi, before moving to Valdosta in 1969 to teach at Valdosta State College. He taught teachers at Valdosta State College for nearly 25 years until he retired in 1993. Dr. Stephens was very active in his church, First Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, choir member, Sunday School teacher, and participated in several mission trips to Venezuela, Honduras, and others. Dr. Stephens loved life and loved people. He enjoyed many activities such as golf with friends and his grandsons. He loved performing as a clown at the local parades and even taught classes on Clowning. He was active as a Shriner, in the Kiwanis Club, Toastmasters, and other groups.

Dr. Stephens is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Monti and Bart Bullock, of Summerfield, NC, and Sharon and Ronnie Hawthorne, of Pace, FL; his grandchildren, Heather (& Chris) Phillips, of Pensacola, FL, Sommer Vaughn, of Montgomery, AL, Whitney Hawthorne, of Pace, FL, Josh (& Chrissie) Bullock, of Sydney, Australia, and Colby (& Megan) Bullock, of Sanford, NC; his great grandchildren, Gaines Vaughn, Hayden Phillips, Cavender Vaughn, Mika Bullock, and Emi Bullock; and special caregiver, Erma Jean Hutchinson and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gwen Cavender Stephens.

A funeral service for Dr. Stephens will be held at 11am on Friday, August 23, 2024, in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. Reverend Mac Weaver and Reverend Chuck Owens will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7pm at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or donations to First Baptist Church Missions, 200 West Central Avenue, Valdosta, GA 31601.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.mclanecares.com

Carson McLane Funeral Home