- Date Of Birth: March 21, 1924
- Date Of Death: October 11, 2015
- State: Texas
William ” Steve” A. Stephens, March 21, 1924 – October 11, 2015.
William A. ” Steve ” Stephens, 91, of Moffat. Mr. Stephens died Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Temple. He was born March 21, 1924 in Nacogdoches County, Texas to Leonard Layton Stephens and Annie May [Avera] Stephens. A proud, fifth generation, native born Texan, and having lived in Bell County since July 1967. He attended Nacogdoches public Schools until spring of 1941 and in the 9th grade when his family moved to Velasco, Texas where his father and an uncle opened a grocery store and then he never got back into school as the war began on December 7, 1941.
He joined the U. S. Navy April 2, 1943, and was proud to have been selected in October 1943 to serve aboard the most decorated ship of World War II, the famous aircraft carrier, the U. S. S. Enterprise, CV-6 and served for 25 months during the remaining part of World War II in the Pacific from Oct 1943 to Nov. 1945, to include the bombing of Japan with carrier based planes in the spring of 1945, and he was awarded the following ribbons and medals for that service: Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon American Defense Medal & Ribbon American Campaign Medal & Ribbon Asiatic – Pacific Campaign Medal & Ribbon With 11 Bronze Battle Stars Philippine Liberation Medal & Ribbon With 2 Bronze Battle Stars World War II Victory Medal & Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon Good Conduct Metal & Ribbon Captain’s Letter of Commendation The war was over in August 1945 and he left the ship in November 1945 (see: www.CV6.org).
He was Honorably discharged from the Navy on April 12, 1946 at Camp Wallace, Texas between Galveston and Alvin, Texas. He was a life member of the U. S. S. Enterprise CV6 Association, an association of former shipmates who served aboard the ship, their families and associated interested parties for the preservation of the spirit and history of the ship and its exploits in the hope that it will never need to be repeated. He married Zilpha Lee Watson on July 2, 1950, the love of his life, and the answer to many prayers. Zilpha was the daughter of James Henry Watson and Beaula May Tucker Watson. After 65 years of marriage, you could still find him with his arm around her shoulders, or holding her hand. He began work for Dallas Title & Guaranty Company on July 10, 1950, a land title and guaranty company. He advanced to manager of the Abstract department. He moved to Portland, TX. in Feb. 1965 as manager of the Abstract and Examining departments of Guaranty Title Co. in Corpus Christi and Sinton Texas, both of which were owned by Dallas Title & Guaranty Company.
He moved to Bell County in July 1967 to become General Manager of Bell County Abstract Co. [a privately owned company which is now known as First Community Title Co.] He retired March 31, 1989 after almost 40 years in the Land Title and Abstract business in Texas, the last 22 years at Bell County Abstract Co., retiring as its President and as Assistant Vice President of its underwriting company, Old Republic Title Insurance Co. of Minnesota. He moved his family to Moffat in November 1975 and they attended the First Baptist Church Moffat. His Community Service included over 30 years voluntarily serving with the Moffat Cemetery Association and along with his wife, Zilpha’s assistance, developed the by-laws, records, maps & inventory of the cemetery and served as its president for many years (see www.MoffatCemetery.org ).
The times he enjoyed most was when God gave him the opportunity to be of help to someone with his knowledge of the Texas Real Estate Laws and his personal experiences. He loved his family and enjoyed having all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around his large dining table for Sunday meals and special occasions. Most of the younger Moffat community members knew him as Grandad, even though they were not related by blood. His home was a popular place, especially at Halloween and Easter time. He is survived by his wife, Zilpha Stephens; two sons, Sonny Stephens of Portland, TX, and his wife, Susie Stephens, Jim Stephens of Moffat and his wife, Angela Stephens; three daughters, Ruth Beck of Moffat and her husband, Gary Beck, Mary Garcia of Troy and her husband, Dale Garcia, and Ann Whetmore of Placerville, CA, and her husband, Edd Whetmore; 15 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.
