William Kenneth Stephenson, M.D.'s Obituary
William Kenneth Stephenson, MD
William Kenneth “Bill” Stephenson, retired orthopaedic surgeon of Longview, Texas, passed away on Monday, May, 9, 2016, in Longview. His funeral service will be conducted at Trinity Episcopal Church of Longview at 2:00 p. m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016, with the Rev. Kevin Wittmayer and the Rev. Jennene Laurinec officiating. Interment will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery in Longview.
Bill was born in New Orleans to Mildred Stanley and George Kennedy Stephenson on July 7, 1942. Reared in Nacogdoches, he graduated from Nacogdoches High School and earned a BS degree in biology at Rice University. After graduation from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas with a doctorate of medicine degree, he completed a surgical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
While Dr. Stephenson served his country during the Viet Nam conflict from 1968 to1970, he was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. Upon discharge, he entered residency in orthopaedics in Houston, working at Ben Taub, M. D. Anderson, Schreiner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, and Herman Hospital.
After completing residency in 1972, Bill joined L. A. Colquitt, MD, and G. M. Hilliard, MD, at the Longview Orthopaedic Clinic. As an orthopaedic surgeon, his numerous accomplishments included successfully performing the first hip replacement surgery in East Texas.
In March of 2016, he was the recipient of the annual Sam Mack Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing Dr. Stephenson as an outstanding orthopaedic surgeon and community leader.
For many years, Bill was very active in the life of Trinity Episcopal Church and Trinity School of Texas. He served on the vestry of the church and on the board of trustees of the school.
Dr. Stephenson was an avid hunter and horseman. Some of his most treasured memories were of the Chireno Hound and Hunt Club with very special friends. He especially enjoyed hunting trips in New Mexico and the Texas hill country near Georgetown.
Bill is survived by Sally Taylor Stephenson, a son, and two daughters: Benjamin Taylor Stephenson and Molly Puckett Stephenson, both of Longview; Dr. Jill Stephenson and her husband, Dr. Bryan Allison, and two wonderful grandchildren, Samuel Bryan Allison and Abigail Grace Allison, all of Dallas.
Also surviving are his sister, Genie Stephenson Shenk of Solana Beach, California, and his niece, Carol Shenk and friend, Abraham Taylor, of Seattle, Washington. Others are his brother-in-law, Dr. Tom Taylor and wife, Trudy, of Longview; niece, Eleanor Taylor of Longview; nephew, Vincent Taylor and wife, Lindsey, and their son, Jackson Taylor of Pearland.
The family wishes to give special thanks and love to Tina Brazzle and Dr. Stephenson’s other caregivers.
Pallbearers will be Dr. W. H. May, Rusty Tucker, Dr. John Ferrell, Dr. Kenneth Glaze, Dr. Tom Taylor Dr. John Coppedge, Marine Jim Jones, Powers Branch, Dr. George Hilliard and Dickens Wilkinson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Medical Foundation, 700 East Marshall Avenue Longview, TX 75601; Dr. Bill Stephenson Fund, Friends of Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 230, Karnack, TX 75661; or a charity of one’s choice.
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