William Lee (Bill) Stevens

William Lee (Bill) Stevens passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Ana, California on February 3, 2026, surrounded by his family, two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday. 

He was born in Cincinnati on February 16, 1933, the youngest of four children of Martin and Ethel (Wickham) Stevens. He graduated from Western Hills High School in 1951 and obtained a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from University  of Cincinnati and a master’s in business administration from Xavier University. 

In the spring of 1953, he met Phyllis Lang on a blind date at a roller-skating rink.  They fell in love and married August 3, 1955. They were known to many as  “Phyl&Bill,” because they were always together, dancing at Disneyland (30 years), traveling around the world, and shopping at Costco. For decades they kept in shape by taking a long walk through their neighborhood every day; and last year they were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from their Silver Sneakers gym class. After more than 70 years of marriage, Phyllis was at his side when he passed. 

A professional mechanical engineer, Bill could fix anything and was always tinkering. One day he and Phyllis brought their brand-new car home from a Toyota dealer. Phyllis went into the house to fix lunch. When she came back out to the driveway, she was horrified to see that Bill had removed the two front seats, laid them in the front yard, and was busy unbolting the dashboard. Driving home from the dealership, he’d figured out a way to build the garage door opener button into the dash. 

Bill was the best dad ever, his kids will attest. Together, he and Phyllis created a steady, safe, and loving household where their brood of seven could grow and flourish. Busy keeping a household of nine afloat, he always made sure he spent time with his family, developing one-on-one relationships with each of the children. 

In addition to his wife Phyllis, he is survived by their seven children: Teresa Stammen (Ken), Mark (Mary), Greg, Denise, Tim (Emily), Andrew (Dan Harrison), and  Lara Ryan (Justin); four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

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