William Junior "Bill" Stephan

Bill was born on a farm near Jackson, NE, the 11th of 14 children of George and Lucy (Frye) Stephan. He attended schools in Dakota County, Nebraska until he left to serve his country during World War II in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and traveled through Idaho to return to Nebraska. Bill met Jean Reed at the Caldwell roller skating rink and they were married Jan. 11, 1948. They were blessed four wonderful children known to them as favorite eldest son, Chuck, favorite daughter, Charlene, favorite middle son, Clint, and favorite youngest son, Curt. Bill worked in construction as a carpenter foreman in Sioux City, IA for several years then went into sales work. The family moved to Denver, CO, then Seattle, WA and later to Payette, ID where Bill enjoyed being a Cornwell Tools dealer for a rewarding 14 years. During these years, he owned and raced the "Cornwell Special", a 1953 Studebaker, at tracks in Idaho and Oregon. He and Jean parted with their race cars to sponsor and assist their three sons and their friends with racing motorcycles. Many miles were traveled in a motorhome with a trailer to races in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. Bill loved to travel with his family and has visited 49 states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Many trips were traveled in the motorhome, riding motorcycles, planes or cars. In 1977, the Ontario Motorcycle Shop sponsored a Poker Run making the McCall loop and stopping at Banks. Bill signed up 84 riders to start the "Just for Fun Motorcycle Club, Inc." lasting for years with many reunions. Bill was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs for 43 years serving as Grand Master of Idaho 1981-1982, Grand Patriarch of Grand Encampment of Idaho 1994-1995, Department Commander of Department Council of Idaho 1997-1999, Quartermaster General of the General Military Council of the World 1992-1993. He is a retired Major General of the Patriarch Military Branch of the IOOF. Bill was a member of the American Legion John Webster Rhoads Post 33 in Payette for 30 years. He served as Post Commander, District No. 9 Commander, Idaho State Department Commander 2011-2012, Financial Officer Post 33, and District 9 Adjutant. He was very active in promoting the Payette County Veteran's Memorial Project. Bill enjoyed volunteering and playing music at the Payette Senior Citizen Center. Bill was preceded in death by five brothers, five sisters and two granddaughters. He is survived by his wife Jean; son Charles & Linda of Prescott, AZ, daughter Charlene & Gordon Raistrick of Paris, TN, son Clinton & Kelci of Peoria, AZ, and son Curt & Carol of Yucca Valley, CA; six grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; brothers Roy of Deming , NM and Joe of Payette; sister Shirley of Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8th at the Payette Methodist Church followed by Military Honors. There will also be a memorial service at the Payette Methodist Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25th with interment service to follow at 3 p.m. at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd, Boise. To honor Bill, donations may be made in his name to Payette County Veteran's Memorial Project, c/o Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel, P.O. Box 730, Payette, ID 83661. Condolences may be made to Bill's family at www.shaffer-jensenchapel.com.William "Bill " Junior Stephan, 86, of Payette, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 at the VA Community Living Center, Boise.

Service Details.

Service

When: Wednesday, January 8th, 2014
Location: Funeral Home
Address: