William Stevens

William F. (Bill) Stevens Jr., 84 years old, passed away to his Heavenly on reward Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Chippenham Hospital after a cruel but short illness. Born in Norfolk, he was the son of the late Kathleen Simmons Stevens and William F. Stevens Sr. He retired after 35 years as a Supervisor at B & W Tobacco Corp. For 40 years he officiated football for the Virginia High School League. He was the first athlete to receive 4 letters in sports from Petersburg High School. He also played football at William and Mary College and for the U.S. Army. He was a past President of the Petersburg Civitan Club and past President of the Methodist Men of Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church. He also sang in the choir for many years and served a term as Lay Leader of Ivey Church. He was an unselfish, honest man of integrity who honored his commitments and kept his promises to the end; a wonderful Father and friend. He was a model train enthusiast. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. The world was a better place while he was in it. His greatest love was his family who survive him, his beloved wife, Anne; daughter, Cynthia Stevens Denny and husband, Mark; a son, Kenneth Andrew Stevens; grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsay, and Blake Denny, Alexa Stevens Phillips and husband, Ryan and Gabriella Stevens. His great joy lately was his three great-grandsons, Kaleb Contreras, Riley and Desmond Phillips. He is also survived by one brother, Robert M. Simmons and wife, Merry; a sister, Nancy Simmons Vest and husband, Lloyd; two brothers-in-law, Andy Porter and wife, Doris and E. H. Vaughan; sister-in-law, Bonnie Porter; and several nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Interment private. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.