Clarence W. Stephens

Obituary-Memorial for Daddy: Died September 27, 2017

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Clarence Wylie (Steve)Stephens

Born, Clarence Wylie Stephens, on November 9, 1929, the youngest son of Harry Albert Stephens and Delma Armezenda Griffin Stephens. With his parents, Steve is proceeded in death by his brothers, Harry Robert Stephens and Frederick G. Stephens and by his only sister, Mary Louise Stephens Simons. He was blessed to marry the love of his life, Della Vernay(Marty) Martin Stephens (deceased), and then Johnnye Ruth Bassham Stephens(deceased).

Steve is survived by his son, Clarence W. (Doie/Steve) (Jackie) Stephens Jr. and by his daughter, Vicki D. Stephens Parent, step daughter, Judy Beth Bassham. Grandchildren, Shawndra R. (Dennis)Taylor and Shannon W. (Garry) Pearsall, Ricky Parent and Kira Vernay Parent Ashe. Step grandchildren TJ (Kathrine)Tacke and Adrianne(Tim) Ofstedahl. Great grandchildren Anthony, Angelina and step great grandchildren. The youngest of his great grandchildren is Carter James Ashe.

Steve ran away to join the military. He joined the United States Air Force. His military career was from December 1947 thru March 1971. A Cold War veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, he had an estimated 5,000 hours in the air as flight engineer. Many times, he was put in dangerous situations and survived. Thru those times, he could have applied for medals, a Purple Heart among them. When asked why he didn’t apply, he modestly said “I was just doing my job”. Steve was a true patriot. He loved our country and instilled in his children the importance of respecting our flag and the people who protect it. After retiring from the military, Steve enjoyed a following career with Garrett/Air Research, known now as Honeywell, retiring in 1990 Steve was a tough sergeant, but he had a heart of gold and he was generous to a fault.

One of the many things that made him so special was that he was the epitome of what and who a father should be. He was kind to a fault, stern when necessary and, most of all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was definitely a blessing to all who knew him. In his prime, Steve worked up to 10-12 hours a day yet, he found time to be a Boy Scout leader, a youth baseball coach(his team was the 007’s). He attended many high school sporting events. He was his work’s softball team pitcher, and a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved fishing and relaxing at home. He raced speed boats, he was an aircraft enthusiast and he rode Casper, his white, Shrine Dress Harley Davidson motorcycle. Steve was very proud to be a 60+ year member in good standing of Victoria Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Texas. He was a quiet man whose silence spoke volumes. He is loved and missed and will be until we meet again.

Burial services will be on November 9, 2017 at 3p at: Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Chandler, AZ 85248. The cemetery is located between South Alma School Rd and South Arizona Avenue on the north side of Chandler Height’s Rd in Chandler. After the burial, a Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at 6pm with doors open at 5pm for visiting and fellowship at: Arizona Avenue Baptist Church, 3701 North Arizona Avenue in Chandler. The church is located 1/2 mile north of Elliot Rd on the east side of Arizona Avenue. Contact information: Call Vicki @ #480-600-1436

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