of Conway, AR
August 17, 1932 - April 4, 2016
Bill Stephens, 83, of Conway, the long-time athletic director at the University of Central Arkansas and a State Representative for 22 years, died Monday, April 4, 2016.
Stephens was born in Conway on Aug. 17, 1932, to the late Earl and Edna Stephens. He attended Conway Public Schools through third grade, when his family moved to Kansas City, Mo.; they returned to Conway when he was in seventh grade.
From Conway High, he entered Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA), where he majored in kinesiology and minor edit in history. At ASTC, he played basketball for one year and football for three years and ran track for four. Initially, he came to ASTC on a basketball scholarship but later switched that to football.
At ASTC, Stephens ran the high and low hurdles, earning all-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference honors, winning the conference title in both events in 1953, and he ran in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Meet in 1954. After graduation in 1955, he took his first coaching job at Wynne, where he coached football and basketball. After one year, he was hired at Carlisle, where he coached football and track for five years. As head football coach, he led the Bison to four district championships and the 1960 state title.
In 1961, Stephens went to Paragould as head football coach. After a year there, he moved to Conway, where he was head junior high and assistant high school coach. In 1962, as an assistant under Rex Lovell, he helped the Wampus Cats to an undefeated state championship. Stephens was defensive coordinator of what was considered the best high school defense in the state. In 1965, he was named head football coach and athletic director at Conway.
In 1967, Stephens returned to his college alma mater as assistant football coach and defensive coordinator under Raymond Bright. In '72, he became head track coach, leading the Bears to three AIC titles and coaching 12 All-Americans. Stephens was named NAIA District 17 and Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year twice.
In 1981, he accepted the position of co-athletic director at UCA and was in charge of the Purple Circle Club and of fundraising activities. In '87, he was named athletic director.
Stephens retired in 1999, having been associated with UCA across five decades. He retired with the longest tenure of any employee in the history of the UCA athletic department. His service was acknowledged by the naming of the Bill Stephens Track and Soccer Complex in his honor in 2010.
He was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2006. He and his brother Ken were honored with the Elijah Pitts Award for Career Athletic Achievement by the Conway Athletic Awards Commission for 2014.
Stephens was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Allen Stephens. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geneva; son Mark and his wife Lisa of Conway; daughters Sonya Stephens and Stephanie Stephens of Conway; granddaughters Rebecca Ngo of New Jersey, Kristen Baldwin (Tommy) of Goodyear, Ariz.; and Kelli Vasquez (Chris) of Conway; and four great-grandchildren, Joey Baldwin, Rosalie Baldwin, Annika Ngo and Calvin Vasquez; brother, Ken Stephens (Donna) of Conway; sister, Edna Earl Williams of Bryant; and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.
Funeral services will be at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway. Pallbearers will include his nephews. Honorary pallbearers will include John Duke, Arvil Burks, Jim Stone, Don Bone, James Clark, Fay Pew, Bill Pate, Richard Martin and all former players. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 6.
Online Guestbook available at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/conway
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19 Condolence(s)
Bobby Sarkey
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Bill and I were the same age. I was so sorry to learn of his passing. He had a long service of service and was much appreciated for his efforts.
Peggy Sturgis
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Bill Stephens performed many services for oters during his life. He wanted to do even more. We were looking forward to have him serve as the president of the Retired Teachers Organization. He was selected, but because of his health, he was unable to serve. My prayers are now with his family.
David Butler
Thursday, April 7, 2016
I'm sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.
Jerry Williams
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
RIP Coach!
Judy Johnston
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know you will be missing Bill in the days and weeks to come. You will remember him with love as I will. God Bless...
Dave Naylor, Sr
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
My condolences for the loss of a longtime colleague and a. friend.
Conway Massey
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Blessings on the family during this time. Your UCA family lifts you up in our prayers, as we remember and celebrate the life of Coach! He was a great encourager to me as an athlete and later as a young coach. His legacy is all the lives that he touched.
David Foyil
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
May The Lord be with the Stephens'a family! Thank you coach for you support of the Bear family! May you rest in peace! David
Terry Lewallen
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
I have so many great memories of Coach Stephens in the classroom and on the track team.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Ken Gilkey
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Coach Bill, you were a true leader and will be greatly missed!
To the family, take time to celebrate his life and the good times you had together.
Best regards,
Ken & Angela Gilkey (1975 -1979)
Ron and Karen Matthews
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.
Dianne Paladino
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
I'm so sorry for your loss. I have so many fun memories,
I will keep you all in my prayers during this difficult time.
I will not be able to make it to funeral or visitation because of work and a class I am taking. Please know I am with you in spirit.
Love you all, Dianne
Frank ie Kinard
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Ms Geneva & Family,
I remember Mr. Bill from CHS years 1964-64. He was a hard, but very fair Coach and an Outstanding individual.
All my Prayers to you in this sad but joyous time.
He's Coaching for GOD now and I know He is smiling down on all of us.
Frank ie
Susan Burks
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Stephens, Mark, Sonja and Stephanie. Mr. Stephens was a special man. He gave me a job when no one else would and he always was a great encourager. All of you have been great friends to my family. My prayers are with all of you.
lanny noggle
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Coach, you were the best., and thanks. lanny doc noggle
pam white dunavant
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Aunt Geneva, Mark, Sonya & Steph - praying the peace and comfort that only God can give (John 14:27) for you all. Uncle Billy was so kind and giving, and will be greatly missed. Love to all of you during this tough time.
pam
Jimmy Bryant
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
My deepest sympathy to Geneva, Sonya, Stephanie and Mark. Coach Stephens was special and was a great asset to UCA. He worked diligently to improve UCA and he was successful. He was dedicated to his family, his friends and his school. We will certainly miss Coach Stephens.
Phil Cleek
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
To the Stephens family and my friend Ken: Sincerest condolences for your loss. Bill was a great guy and his legacy will live on for many including my family. All the best, Phil Cleek, Sherwood.
Cindy Beckman
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Geneva, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.