William Joseph Stevens "Bill" was born April 11, 1936 in Helena Montana, the first child of Joseph O. Rafael and Marian Stevens, followed by his sisters Peggy and Barbara. Family life was very difficult and the children were abandoned by both father and mother. They were taken in by Bill's maternal grandmother who eventually took them to a church in Hayward, California where they were fostered to Christian families. Bill was taken in by the family of Henry Rose of Hayward, California during his formative years. His sisters went to live with the Wunch family.

Bill's birth mother later remarried and gave birth to his half-brother, James Schiager.

The Rose's raised Bill in the church and he held to a lifelong commitment to the Lord, Jesus Christ. He met the love of his life, Judith Mae  Villbrandt at a Christian conference. Judy later described being absolutely smitten by Bill at their first meeting. Bill took Judy to meet his parents and obtained their blessing for their marriage. Judy then returned home and Bill shipped out to the pacific with the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. After his military service and honorable discharge, Bill and Judy married. He worked for the U.S. Government, Hewlett Packard, Raytheon and others. Bill and Judy lived in Milwaukee, New York, Oakland, Concord and Fresno, California. After leaving computer engineering, he served in his last roll as a school bus driver.

Bill was always active in church activities, youth groups and the Yosemite Conference. He and Judy worked and raised their own children Brad, Julie and Elizabeth. They travelled extensively across the U. S. and to many countries around the world. Toward the end of their very full and successful lives, Bill and Judy moved into The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, Fresno where Bill died peacefully on August 3, 2024.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Judy Mae Stevens; son Brad Stevens and wife, Robin; daughter, Julie Yoshida and husband, Randy; daughter Elizabeth Thomason and husband, Derek; eight grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his birth parents, Joseph O. Rafael and Marian Stevens; his chosen parents Henry and Marian Rose; sisters Peggy Gilmore and Barbara Lawson and half-brother James Schiager.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to St. Mary's Home Health and St. Mary's Hospice for their excellent, compassionate care of Bill during the later stages of his life.

A memorial gathering will be held on August 22nd at the Terraces at San Joaquin @ 3:30pm.

For those attending the Gravesite Service please contact Chaplainthomason@gmail.com for instructions.

Remembrances may be posted at Farewell.com