William Milton Stephens, Jr. passed away Friday, June 3, 2022 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas at the age of 88. He was born June 4, 1933 at his 1907 historic home to Eva McCue and William Milton Stephens, Sr.
Bill attended Garden City schools, graduating from GCHS in 1951. He was active in yearbook and football and held numerous jobs from gas station attendant, grocery bagger at Wall’s IGA, and helping farmers during the summer harvest. From a very early age, he developed a tremendous work and service ethic.
In 1952, after a year at Kansas State University, he married his high school sweetheart, Neta Nadine Royer in Garden City. He became the grounds caretaker for the Community Congregational Church and they lived in the d’Allemand House next to the church. He worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad for a short time before beginning his lifelong career in the auto, residential, and commercial glass industry with Acme Harding Glass in 1953. By 1962, Bill was manager of Harding Glass in Garden City.
Bill loved spending time with his family, always sharing his wit and sense of humor and often chuckling at his own jokes. He and Neta were blessed to be parents of five children, Deborah, Stephanie, Barbara, Douglas and Julie. The family often spent summer evenings swimming at the Elks Club or at the big pool and enjoying annual vacations in Colorado.
In 1970, he was promoted to general manager of Harding Glass in Denver, Colorado. He turned around a struggling operation and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Harding Glass Industries and relocated to Kansas City. He finished his last few years with Harding Glass in Denver, retiring in 1991. In 1995, he and Neta returned to his childhood home in Garden City, leaving many dear and close friends behind.
Bill and Neta spent the next few years renovating the William H. Thompson home. It was placed on State and National Historic registries in 1996. Their home was at the center of all their activities. It was often a gathering place for family holidays, birthdays, celebrations, graduations and even a granddaughter’s wedding as well as impromptu lunches, dinners and visits on the porch which always included the swing. Everyone was welcome.
In his retirement, he enjoyed visiting his children and grandchildren as well as traveling with friends. He also found ways to support and help his community including 25 years of volunteer work at the Emmaus House and 17 years on the board of the Finney County Historical Society. One adventure he loved telling people about was when he drove a “Google’’ car over a period of several years, filming homes on every street, in every town, in the western one-third of the state. He believed that the best work is what you like and the best play is your work.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Neta, son Douglas, great granddaughter Claire Crowe and son-in-law Roger Jarmer. He is survived by his four daughters, Deborah Jarmer (Roger) of Garden City, Stephanie Martinek (Ken) of Tempe, AZ, Barbara Stephens of Denver, CO and Julie Hensley (Jeff) of Locust Grove, OK; Grandchildren Lindsay (Jarmer) Clark, Joseph Jarmer (Jamie), Brett Jarmer, Katherine (Jamer) Crowe (Nathan), Kelli (Jarmer) Quintero (Boris), Matthew Jarmer (Ashley), Meghan (Martinek) Deska (Brendan), Shelby Martinek, Callie (Zanandrie) Bochenek (Joseph), Thomas Zanandrie (Sarah), Joshua Stephens, and Rachel (Careathers) Mendel (Mike); Great grandchildren Tristan Clark, Ryan Jarmer, William Jarmer, Seth Jarmer, Clayton Jarmer, Abigail Jarmer, Lauren Jarmer, Alexander Crowe, Barrett Crowe, Colin Bochenek, Samuel Stephens and Eliana Stephens. He was also survived by his sister Catherine Burlin and family of Overland Park, KS, and loving cat, Frankie. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Bill
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Bill Stephens Memorial with the Finney County Historical Society, as well as gifts to the Finney County Humane Society, both in care of Garnand Funeral home.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10:30am at Valley View Cemetery, Garden City, KS.