Lawnie William Stephens

Born on March 11, 1933 to William Jasper Stephens and Mary Roberta Stephens in Naylor, Missouri, Lawnie was the eighth of nine siblings and attended school in a one room schoolhouse. At 18 years old, he joined the U.S. National Guard and was drafted into the US Army a few months later. He trained at Fort Riley, Kansas and after completing Basic Training returned to Saint Louis, Missouri where he married Beverly Marcilla McQuay on August 22, 1953. Together, they moved to Camp Atterbury, Indiana for a short time and then back to Fort Riley where he served as a medic during the Korean War. After his discharge from the US Army, Lawnie and Beverly moved back to Saint Louis where Lawnie worked for Quality Dairy and St. Louis Electrotype from 1955-1965. During this time they had two children. In January of 1965, Lawnie began a long career with the Chrysler Corporation where he worked his way up to the position of night shift Supervisor of Maintenance. He retired from Chrysler in 1989. Lawnie enjoyed spending time with his family, teaching them how to hunt and fish, while instilling his love and respect for God's gift of the land and our freedoms in this country. He was a simple man with high ideals. He was a loving husband, outstanding father and grandfather, a respected coworker and a deeply loved individual by everyone who was blessed to know him. He transitioned peacefully in his home surrounded by family on December 31, 2024.

Lawnie is survived by his wife Beverly, his son William (Bill) and his daughter Shelia, his grandchildren Meghan Stephens Russo, Savannah Stephens and Shane Stephens, and his great grandson Declan Charles Russo.

Visitation services will be held from 4pm-8pm on Thursday January 9, 2025 at Alexander-White-Mullen Funeral Home at 11101 St. Charles Rock Road, St. Ann, MO 63074. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Thursday January 16, 2025 at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery located at the address listed above.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Wounded Warriors Project in honor of Lawnie Stephens