Charles William “Bill” Stephenson, age 84, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 10, 2022, in his Belle Center, OH home, surrounded by family and friends. The Lord arranged for him to die on his favorite day of the week, Sunday, and Palm Sunday to boot.
He was born on June 20, 1937, in Huntsville, Ohio, the son of the late, Carl “Corky” Stephenson and Grace (Wallace) Stephenson.
He married Suzanne Katherine Rogers in 1965 and she survives.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Connie, his sister, Norma, his brother, Steve “Don”, and his brother, Carl.
Bill is survived by his wife, Suzi, his daughter, Shelley Stephenson of Russells Point, his son, Scott Stephenson of Belle Center, his daughter, Wendy Cleland of Bellefontaine, and a dear family friend, Denyse Bayliss.
He retired from Honda in 2000 so he could spend more time singing and playing music. He wrote over 100 songs for the Lord while on this earth. He was the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, alongside his daughter, for Upward, a Christian praise band. Upward played over 200 shows that ranged from the Pork Rind Festival in Harrod, Ohio, to the Prospect Hill Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA (one of the oldest churches in America that had the distinction of coining “IN GOD WE TRUST” on currency) to Kingston, Jamaica, for tent revivals that produced hundreds of people. He was ordained as a Minister of Praise & Worship in 2000 but had been playing music unto the Lord since 1992. But more than performing, Bill loved to praise and worship the Lord. He has served as the Praise and Worship Leader at Christ Covenant Church in Bellefontaine, Ohio, for the past 12 years, and was lovingly known as Minister Bill. He loved his church family so much. They meant the world to him.
Bill was a prayer warrior who loved to pray for people, council people, and encourage people. He loved people. He has led many people to the Lord down through the years. There is no doubt in our minds that God received him with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
There will be no public services. In lieu of memorial contributions, please do something kind for someone else as a gesture of God’s love in remembrance of this man who loved hard and gave his all for Jesus.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Belle Center, is honored to serve the Stephenson family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.