James William "Bill" Stephens, 87, of Astoria died at 6:47 p.m. Oct. 11, 2011, at Wesley Village in Macomb.James William "Bill" Stephens, 87, of Astoria died at 6:47 p.m. Oct. 11, 2011, at Wesley Village in Macomb.
He was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Woodland Township, Fulton County, the son of James W. and Orlena Bloomfield Stephens. He married Ethel Mae Waggoner on Nov. 26, 1946, in Canton. She preceded him in death on Dec. 23, 2006.
He also was preceded in death by three sisters.
Surviving are one son, William (and Cindy) Stephens of Industry; one daughter, Marcia (and Jon) Breeden of Macomb; one sister, Nellie Stephens of Macomb; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was a lifelong farmer in Woodland Township, Fulton County and enjoyed raising purebred Shorthorn cattle winning awards at both state and county cattle shows.
He was a member of several organizations during his lifetime and served on the governing boards of Astoria Fire Protection District, Astoria School District, Mid-Century Telephone Cooperative, Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District and Illinois Shorthorn Association.
Services were held Friday at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria. Burial was in Astoria Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Ethel Mae Stephens Memorial at Graham Hospital School of Nursing in Canton.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus