William V. (Dickie) Stephens, 87, of Lake Placid and formerly of Ona, died Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Lake Placid Health Care Center.

Born June 21, 1925, to Leon T. and Myrta Stephens, he was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a tail gunner in a torpedo dive bomber. He was a farmer, rancher, and citrus buyer most of his life. Mr. Stephens served on the Board of Directors of the Peace River Electric Cooperative for nine years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine where he served as song director for many years, and formerly of New Zion Baptist Church, also serving as song director.

Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Ricky Stephens. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ruby Stephens of Lake Placid; two sons, Leon Stephens (Bobbi) of Bowling Green and Bruce Stephens of Wauchula; two daughters, Martiel “Sissy” Layton (Clay) of Wauchula, and Brenn Simonen (Jarkko) of Portland, Ore; a brother, Allen Noel Stephens of Lake Placid; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held Thursday, Dec. 13, at Robarts Garden Chapel in Wauchula. Funeral services were Friday at First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine with Rev. Kevin Ahrens and Rev. Allen Altvater officiating. A second service at New Zion Baptist Church in Ona was also Friday with Rev. Robert Roberts and Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Interment was in New Zion Cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to Robarts Family Funeral Home, Wauchula.