William (Bill) Louis Stephens

William (Bill) Louis Stephens passed away on November 14th 2009 after a long struggle with prostate cancer. Bill, an Atlanta native, attended elementary school at Christ the King and later graduated from Marist College (On Ivy Street). Bill attended Emory University and graduated with a BBA in Business Administration, was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.

Following graduation, Bill attended the Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Following graduation he was assigned to flight school at Pensacola Naval Air Station where after a brief stay was assigned to New Studies at the Naval Air Intelligence School in Washington, DC. After graduation, he joined the Air Group at the Ocean Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During the next few years he served aboard three different aircraft carriers, the USS Bennington, the USS Forrestal, and the USS Ranger serving in both the Atlantic Ocean and Far East as an assistant Air Intelligence Officer.

Following his naval service he returned to Atlanta to begin a career in the family insurance business. After several years he changed careers joining the Adams-Cates Company, becoming a Vice President specialist in commercial, office and leasing and land sales. Bill later became a consultant/associate with REII assisting in the liquidation of several hundred dollars in foreclosed properties. During the last few years he reopened his own brokerage company. Bill was an avid golfer and valued the business and personal friendships he sustained over the years. He loved to read and listen to classical and country music.

His proudest achievements are his five children and eleven grandchildren and the contributions they continue to make with their lives. Bill is survived by his children, Lida Chenoweth, Tricia Bradshaw, Kate Gutierrez, John Stephens, and Beth Stephens. The past six years have been lovingly shard with his beloved fiance, Barbara Weeden who has been his true love and constant companion. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Hospice Center of Atlanta. A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, November 23rd, 2009, at The Cathedral of Chris the King on 2699 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. On line condolences can be made here.