Born: August 09, 1916
Died: March 28, 2009
Services: Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Church United Methodist, 308 Oneida Street Beaver Dam with the Rev. Mark Swanson officiating
Visitation: Friday, April 3rd from 4:00 7:00 pm at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with a Masonic service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. the time of service at the church.
Rev. William V. Stevens, 92 years of Beaver Dam passed away peacefully at the Continental Manor in Randolph on Saturday, March 28, 2009.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Church United Methodist, 308 Oneida Street Beaver Dam with the Rev. Mark Swanson officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, April 3rd from 4:00 until 7:00 pm at the Koepsell Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with a Masonic service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will also be held on Saturday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. the time of service at the church. Entombment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam.
William was born the son of John V. and Isabelle (Strawser) Stevens on August 9, 1916 in Spencer, Indiana. In 1924, the family moved to Janesville, Wisconsin. He was a 1933 graduate of Janesville High School. Bill then attended Milton College graduating with honors in 1939 with a B.A. degree. He later attended Garrett Theological Seminary and Mission House Seminary graduating in 1948 with a B.D. Degree.
William was married to Margaret Bohm Schwandt in 1945 and she passed away in 1980. He was then married to Doris Larson in 1982 until her death in 1991. He was then later married to Ruth Erickson in 1992.
In 1948, William was ordained a Methodist Minister. He faithfully served the ministry for over 61 years retiring in 2003. Rev. Bill served the following congregations: Genoa City, Greenbush-Glenbeulah, Epworth, Wesley in Watertown, Wauwatosa, Kenosha, Green Bay, Beaver Dam, Belleville, Madison-Our Masters and Stoddard.
Rev. Bill was very active throughout his ecumenical career. He held numerous positions including East Wisconsin Conference Secretary for 28 years and was on the Board of Directors of the Alcohol Problems Council of Wisconsin from 1956 until 2006.
He was also active in many civic organizations. He joined the Kiwanis in 1946 and held many positions including Wisconsin District Governor from 1984-85 and received the Hixon Foundation Award and Life Fellow Award. He was member of the Masonic Kenosha Lodge No. 47 and the Dodge County Lodge No. 72 F & AM. He was active in the Wisconsin Historical Society and he also received the Pillar of Milton Citation in 1959.
William is survived by his wife, Ruth Erickson Stevens of Beaver Dam; his son, John Stevens and his wife Bonnie of Randolph; his daughter, Jane Stevens and her husband Dr. Jerry Zimmerman both of Seattle; his granddaughter, Kimberly Stevens; his brother, Wilbur and his wife Maxine Stevens of Salina CA; step children: Richard Larson, Jack Larson, Bill Larson, Miriam Sue Laue, Sharon Kruse, Roger Erickson, Tom Erickson and Debbie Erickson; step grandchildren and step great grandchildren. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Margaret, second wife, Doris and his brother, John.
Memorials: Memorial Contributions may be made to the Rev. William Stevens Memorial Fund c/o Trinity Church United Methodist Church 308 Oneida St., Beaver Dam WI 53916.
Church: Trinity Church-United Methodist (Map)
