Don William (Bill)) Stevenson, age 75, passed away in his home on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Buda, Texas. He was born February 4, 1938 in Elwood City, Pennsylvania where he was crowned Master of Elwood City when he was just a toddler.
In 1942, his family moved to Southern California where he excelled at sports and academics. He served as valedictorian of the 1955 El Rancho High School graduating class in Pico Rivera, California. He attended UC Berkley and Foothill College. He joined the U.S. Army in November of 1956 where he proudly served in Alaska until he was honorably discharged in November of 1958.
Bill was hired at Lockheed Missiles and Space in December of 1958 where he held multiple positions during his 35-year career. He moved from San Jose, California to Austin, Texas, in 1982 to assist in opening the Lockheed Austin Division. He retired from Lockheed Austin as Director of Materiel in 1994. He moved to Orlando, Florida, to work as a consultant and as an executive and board member for InCharge.
In 2010, he and his wife returned to live in Buda, Texas surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his parents Don L. Stevenson and Margaret Edwards Stevenson and parents-in-law, Earnest and Deanie Babcock.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Jill Stevenson; his sister, Barbara Whan and husband, William of Austin; his son, Michael Stevenson of California; his daughters, Heather Stevenson Russell and husband, Jack of Buda, Jennifer Stevenson Murphy of Buda, Lorri Stevenson of Austin, Merideth Stevenson Keller and husband, Alan of Buda, and Kathryn Stevenson Bigge and husband, Sean of Austin; grandchildren, Matthew and Jason Wright, Tanner and McKenna Murphy, Taylor, Addison, Aidan and William Keller, Jordan Rouse and Fayli Bigge.
Bill was a devoted father to his children, beloved grandpa to his grandchildren, and a loving husband to his wife, Jill. He will be remembered always as an influential and inspiring presence to those who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends too numerous to count.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 7, 2013 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bill to the Capital of Texas Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association, 3429 Executive Center, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78731.
