2006 at the VA Hospital of White River Jct.,VT surrounded by his family.
Bill was born in Newport, NH on February 6, 1922, the son of Earl K. and
Sylvia (Sanborn) Stevens. He was raised and attended Newport schools and
had resided in Goshen for 58 years. He was also a descendant of the Kelsey
family, one of Newports four founding families.
He is survived by his wife Madeline Lois Stevens of Goshen four children, a
son Kerry A. Stevens of Newport, a daughter Lissa L. Hinkley of Claremont, a
son Bradley Stevens of Davenport, FL and a daughter Judy Fowler of Newport,
twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, a brother Robert Stevens
of Newport, a sister Marion Sherwood of Dover, one niece, several nephews
and cousins. He was predeceased by one son, William "Shelly" Stevens in
2005, a daughter Bonnie Jo Russell in 1976 and a granddaughter Jody Stevens
in 1987.
A memorial service will be held in the spring by the lake he loved so much.
Memorial contributions can be made to Lake Sunapee Baptist Church, PO Box
337, Sunapee, NH 03782.
Bill proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII as a sonar
technician on a naval destroyer. He was a participating member of the local
drum and bugle corp as a drummer traveling throughout New England and
Florida. Upon his return from active duty he worked in local logging camps
with his draft horses. He also worked for many local companies as a truck
driver such as Davis & Simonds, PAK and Arthur Whitcomb. His last
occcupation was a self employed concrete and masonary contractor who was
known for his attention to detail and true craftsmanship. His work in the
local area will be enjoyed by many generations to come.
Bill was very active in Goshen, serving on the Board of Selectmen and the
Goshen Volunteer Fire Dept. for many years. He was also an instrumental
force in the renovation of the town hall and served as a deacon of the
Goshen Community Church. He was a driving force in the building of the new
parish hall and spent many hours on the building of it. He remained an
active member of the Lake Sunapee Baptist Church.
In his retirement, Bill enjoyed working with his draft horses, Kate, B and
Ben. He would give sleigh rides to his family and work with them in the
woods logging. He vacationed in Maine for many years and even helped a
friend in New Harbor, Maine build a campground in his early eighties. He
was an avid horseshoe player and won many pitching tournaments while
wintering in Florida. His friends from Florida would wait for him to come
so he could be on their team.
Bill and Lois took many sightseeing trips with their son Kerry and his
family up and down the eastern seaboard, which has given them many lasting
memories.
He enjoyed spending time with his son Kerry and grandson Josh in their
excavating business, riding along with them or watching the progress of a
job. He also helped his daughter, Lissa, build a patio at the age of 83.
He also enjoyed watching the birds and identifying all the different ones
and his job was to make sure the feeders were full.
He was fondly know as Bump by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and
was greatly loved by each of them. He will be lovingly remembered for his
"poems", songs and quick wittedness and funny faces all of which made
everyone laugh except for Mom, who would just shake her head. He was a
prankster and picker always making them squeal with laughter. He will also
be remembered by some for great legs even at the age of 84.
Bill will be remembered by his neighbors sitting on his porch watching life
go by and if they were inclined to stop there was always a second chair.
During his illness he received excellent care at the Veterans Hospital and
appreciated and became very fond of the nursing staff and doctors that took
care of him often showing them his quick wittedness. (Bill, Bump, Dad) even
though he left us with so many memories has also left us with a void in our
hearts.