Walter John “Walt” Stephens, 96, died at his home in Oviedo, Florida on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.
Walt was born in rural Venango County, Pennsylvania on January 3, 1924, the youngest of five children of Willis John and Mable Phillips Stephens. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jane Hill Stephens, three brothers, Leonard, Carl and Milton, and one sister Margaret Orr. He is survived by two sons, Richard (Pat) and John (Jane) Stephens, and his daughter, Marsha Surrency (Skeet). Survivors also include six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He joined the Army shortly after graduation from Oil City (PA) High School where he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps for the duration of World War II. Married to Jane Constance Hill in 1946 they spent most of their 55 years together in south Florida. Skills developed and refined over a long career as a tool and die maker were easily transferred to a passion for woodworking in his retirement years. Examples of his work are found in many areas of his church, the school and Lutheran Haven, the community in which he lived for the past 22 years.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 22, 2021 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 2021 W. State Road 426, Oviedo, Florida 32765.
The request of the family is that memorials be directed to the St. Luke's Lutheran Memorial Fund in memory of Walter Stephens in lieu of flowers.
