Funeral services for Reverend Willie Dee Stephens 86, of Killeen, TX will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2021, 12:00 noon at Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Killeen, TX. Viewing will be held 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial with Military Honors will be held on Monday May 17, 2021, 1:00 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX.

Reverend Stephens passed away May 7, 2021, in Temple, TX.

Reverend Willie Dee Stephens was born April 10, 1935 to parents Thomas W. Stephens, Sr., and Annie Lee Player in Gilliam, LA. He graduated from Dunbar High School in Texarkana, TX in 1956. He enjoyed fishing, football, and basketball.

After graduating he worked for Sears as a mechanic before enlisting in the United States Army in 1958. He received an honorable discharge in 1959. His awards include: Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter Badge (Carbine) and the Marksman Badge (Rifle).

Willie was called to Ministry in 1972 and ordained in 1975. He attended Southern Bible College in Houston, TX. He was part of the prison ministry for 23 years, and a part of the nursing home ministry, home care ministry and the street ministry. He was an Assistant Pastor at Bastrop MBC for 5 years. Willie attended the Prairie View A& M University annual ministry conference in 2011 and 2012. He was a past member of New Town Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX, Sunlight Baptist Church in Houston, TX, and Starlight Baptist Church in Houston, TX. He was a present member of Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Killeen, TX for over 18 years.

Willie was employed with Firestone/Bridgestone for over 33 years, where he received the Silver and Bronze Wrench Award. He was a life member of the VFW post 10110 and an honorary member of the American Legion.

He is preceded in death by wife Emma L. Stephens (deceased, March 11, 2013) and he later married Jacqueline E. Willis-Stephens (deceased, November 30, 2017), parents Thomas W. Stephens, Sr., and Annie Lee Stephens, son Christopher H. Stephens, brothers Leon Stephens, Thomas Stephens, Jr., and Artis Stephens, and sisters Annie Mae Kilgore and Mary L. Stephens.

His memory will live on with those he leaves behind: sons, Edmund C. Stephens (Diedre) of Humble, TX, Willard D. Stephens (Deneasa) of Belton, TX, Michael L. Stephens (Alverta) of Houston, TX, Timothy R. Stephens (Sharon) of Killeen, TX; one daughter, Drue A. Campbell (Nathaniel) of Houston, TX; stepchildren, Monica C. Floyd of Houston, TX, Felicia M. Alford of Houston, TX, and Renatta L. Willis (Gwendolyn) of Houston, TX; sisters, Minister Margaret Thompson of Gardena, CA, and Lona M. Atkins of Charlotte, NC; thirty six grandchildren; fifty one great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and  a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.