Hollis Ray Stephens

Hollis Ray Stephens Hollis Ray Stephens, age 82, of Austin, Texas, died on October 17, 2007. Born on December 16, 1924 in Chilton, Alabama, he was one of eleven children born to Enoch and Trannie Stephens. Hollis graduated in 1943 from Clarke County High School, Chilton, Alabama. He was drafted into the U.S. Army after graduating from high school in 1943, and served his country honorably for twenty-seven years in three major wars—World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. Throughout his military career, he received numerous accolades to include the Congressional Soldiers Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. Hollis retired from the U.S. Army in 1971 at the rank of Command Sergeant Major and settled in Austin, Texas. He worked for the City of Austin as an inspector where he retired after fourteen years of public service. Hollis was married to Thelma Lilija Klavins for sixty years and had three children—Linda, Bettina, and Thomas. Raised as a Baptist in Alabama, he and his family also attended services at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin since 1955. Hollis was preceded in death by his parents Enoch and Trannie Stephens; his brothers Clarence, Nathan, Herbert, and Jack; and, his sisters Agnes, Eloise, and Eugenia. Hollis is survived by his wife Thelma; children Linda Baehr, Bettina Butcher, Thomas Stephens; brothers Everette Stephens and Hermon Stephens; sister Sally Evans; grandchildren Lara Nichols, Marcus Recht, Kevin Baehr, Christopher Baehr, Adam Stephens, Caleb Stephens, Hannah Stephens, and Abigail Stephens; and, great-granddaughter Stephanie Nichols. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 22, 2007, at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78705. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River, Austin, TX 78705, with Reverend Sherman Stenson officiating. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, 14501 N. IH 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River, Austin, TX 78705 or to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com