William Stevens

William Ross Stevens, age 90, passed peacefully from Alzheimer’s disease, Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the Bel Aire Senior Living facility in American Fork, Utah. He was born in Cedar City, Utah, October 20, 1928 to Oliver Carlos Stevens and Martha Lang as the seventh child in a family of 12 children. Ross and his family worked hard to survive in Iron County, Utah, during the depression and World War II. They worked from dawn to dusk to provide the basic needs of the family. The first time Ross lived in a home with hot and cold running water was in 1946 when the Stevens family moved to Bear River, Utah, after losing their ranch near Cedar City, Utah, for lack of money to the pay taxes and being “share croppers” for over ten years. Ross worked numerous manual labor jobs to fund not only high school education, but also a mission to the New England State Mission in 1950. This was an undertaking that was a desire of his heart. Even though he felt he did not see the fruits of his labors while serving his mission, he came home a convert to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He stated that he had learned “how little he knew” and had a burning desire to get an improved education. Upon return from his mission, Ross met his wife Anna VerLee Petersen. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity on June 6, 1952, in the Logan Utah Temple. They had four children, Mikel Ross, Anna Mariea (Skaggs), Lon Melvin, and Nile Allen. Ross was never able to get an education higher than a high school diploma, which he completed in the spring of 1962, as the father of three children. Ross’ desire for education, not only for the secular but also spiritually was purposely and wisely shared with his children. All served missions and graduated university studies with bachelors’ and advanced graduate degrees as well. He was a great example of education always packing a book to work to read then sharing the things he learned at the dinner table. Ross worked in Civil Services for the US Government in several capacities for 40 years, with two tours of duty in Vietnam in 1969 and 1973. He was a good example and responsible at his place of employment, receiving several awards for his outstanding service. Ross also served in a number of callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including an ordination to the Seventy, multiple stake missions, High Priest, and as a Leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He was the recipient of the Award of Merit and a 15-year veteran of the Lake Bonneville Council. Ross and VerLee served a mission together to the Madison Wisconsin Mission in 1997-1999. The service Ross valued most, was that of father. It was his “greatest pride to see the accomplishments of (his) children”. To that end Ross sacrificed and spent countless hours with his children, teaching by word and deed the best he knew how. His children, grandchild and great grandchildren stand on his shoulders. His sacrifices have not been in vein. We are greatly blessed to have had him as our father. William Ross is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anna VerLee Stevens, his children, Mikel Ross Stevens (JoLynn Johnstun), Orem, UT, Anna Mariea Skaggs (Fred A. Skaggs), Cresson, TX, Lon Melvin Stevens (Jennifer Stenger), Madison, AL, Seven grandchildren HeidiLynn, Brom, Amber, Deidra, Aubra, Nicholas and Duncan, 16 great grandchildren. Two living brothers, Evan D and Carl Delile Stevens. He is preceded in death by his son Nile Allen Stevens and one great granddaughter Ashley Stevens. Also preceded in death by his sibling's; Lena, Marjarie, Donal June, Carlos Grant, Richard Franklin, Doris, Golda, Veola, and Oliver Clinton. A viewing will be Friday, June 21, 2019 from 10:00 am to 11:30 at the Brigham City Utah 7th Ward Chapel at 203 North 200 West. Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. with internment in the Brigham City Cemetery. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com. Entrusted to Gillies Funeral Chapel, Brigham City, 435-723-5236