Willis Stephens

WILLIS STEPHENS

was born in Grimsley, Tennessee on June 14, 1931 the son of the late Frank Ealis and Ora Mae Richards Stephens.

Willis was united in marriage to Jessie Mae Godwin, who survives.

Willis was a truly a man of many talents. He drove a truck for 30 plus years, as his C.B. handle was "Handyman." Willis really lived up to his name. He was a master mechanic. If it rolls or goes and it was broke he could fix it. If there was something that he was working on and seemed to baffle him, he would carefully examine the situation until he conquered the problem. Willis would not let anything "out do" him. Everyone has heard him say countless times, "I will not be outdone", as he was not a quitter.

Willis loved to drink coffee at the local cafe every morning with his friends. He loved to pick his guitar and mow the yard. Willis spent countless hours cultivating the ground to plant a garden, to watch it grow and reap what he had sown. He enjoyed giving some of the fresh produce away to friends and neighbors.

Willis departed this life on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 in Adamsville, Tennessee at the age of 89 years and 3 days.

He is survived by his wife, Jessie Stephens of Adamsville, Tennessee; children, Edward Lane Stephens and wife Celena of Adamsville, Tennessee, Michael Stephens and wife Loretta of Adamsville, Tennessee, Scott Stephens and wife Dorinda of Townsend, Tennessee, Tony Stephens and wife Katherine of Richland, Washington, Kathy Mauk of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Gina Buckner and husband Chris of Monterey, Tennessee; grandchildren, Joseph Beard and wife Amanda, Dylan Poteet, Andrew Buckner and wife Brenna, Michael Buckner, Bo Stephens, Derik Stephens, and Allie Stephens; great grandchildren, Bentley Stephens, Dalton Beard, Mason Beard, and Arwen Poteet; sisters, Lois Alexander and husband Elton, Lucille Robinson, and Nancy Polk and husband Harold, all of Savannah, Tennessee.

In addition to his parents, Willis was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Lindsay Poteet, two sisters, Doris Whited and Donnie Alexander, and one brother, Bruce Stephens.