Mr. William James “Bill” Stephens, 88, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, January 11th, from 3:00 to 5:00pm at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC.

Bill was born on August 26, 1936, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Hoke Jefferson Stephens of Willow Springs. He attended Gardner Webb College, where he played Basketball and Football before transferring to East Carolina University to complete his Business Degree. He served our country in the US Army Reserves before beginning his professional career. For more than 30 years, Bill worked in several management capacities for CP&L, where he retired. Following that retirement, Bill was selected by Governor James B Hunt to serve as the Deputy Director of Commerce for the state of NC, where he held this position for 9 years before retiring again.

Bill will be fondly remembered for his love of family and his unwavering drive to succeed daily. He possessed a smile and charisma that will always be remembered. He was an encourager to his children and grandchildren, always reinforcing that they can do anything they set their mind to. His words continue to inspire those he left behind. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds with close friends and family. He loved spending time at the family’s beach home (A-Frame) in Atlantic Beach, where many special memories were made. It gave him great joy to gather with family. He was incredibly proud of his children and grandchildren and their successes. Bill, a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, will be greatly missed by the many who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife of over 30 years, Judy Haley Stephens. They lovingly raised their three children in Raleigh, Siler City, Jacksonville, and Pinehurst, where they made lifelong friends. He was also preceded in death by his 2nd wife, Jimi McDaniel Stephens.

Surviving are:

Wife of 22 years, Carole McDaniel Stephens of Raleigh, and her daughter, Christina McDaniel;
Daughters Haley Stephens Steadman and husband, Tim, of Raleigh, and Susan Stephens Taylor and husband, Henry, of Raleigh; Son, Jeff Stephens, and wife, Celeste, of Greenville; Grandchildren, Jeff Stephens, Jr. and wife, Paige, of Wendell, Caroline Steadman and Luke Steadman of Charlotte, Garrett Stephens of Greenville, Claire Taylor of Raleigh, and Sister Mary Helen Bunn of Smithfield.

The family is grateful to Transitions LifeCare for the excellent care provided. Memorial donations can be made here.