Lloyd Wesley Stephens' Obituary
Lloyd Wesley Stephens, age 88, of Fayetteville was born to Samuel “Oren” Stephens and Lela Mae Chance Stephens on January 24, 1929 at Cornerville, Lincoln County, Arkansas. He died at his home in Fayetteville on May 6, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Ralph Wilson Stephens He attended school in Cornerville, Star City, A&M College (Monticello), and the University of Arkansas, from which he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He served in the army from September 1946 to January 1948, arriving in occupied Japan on his 18th birthday. While still in college Lloyd began working as a drafter for Arkansas Western Gas Company, later a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, and continued his 43-year career there. He proudly served as Chief Engineer, Vice President of Engineering, VP of Gas Supply and Transmission, and retired with a title of VP of System Design. He was registered Professional Engineer who helped extend natural gas service to communities in NW Arkansas. In 1982 he was inducted as a charter member of the Arkansas Academy of Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Stephens was active in the Methodist Church, serving as a member of a Youth Caravan Team to west Texas during college, on the Administrative Board and as a member of the Chancel Choir at Central United Methodist Church. He was an active member of the Jaycees and served as Santa Claus in the Fayetteville Christmas Parade in 1960. He married Wanda Lorene Brewer on June 19, 1954 at First United Methodist Church in Malvern, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife of 62 years; four children Ruth Stephens Soller (Steve). Susie Stephens Edwards (David), John Stephens, and Donna Stephens; four grandchildren Steven Soller, Jeremy Soller (Dai Zhu), Justin Edwards and Sara Edwards (Khail Smith). Visitation will be held 5:00pm-7:00pm Monday May 15 at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be1:00pm Tuesday at Central United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens.
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