Birth Date: 09/14/1930
Deceased Date: 01/01/2024
James William Stephens, age 93, of Kenly and Southport North Carolina passed away peacefully with his son Keith R Stephens and granddaughter Lauren M Tobin at his side. James was a lifelong learner and prophetic speaker. Born in Waterford Michigan, on September 14, 1930, his early life was spent during the hard scrabble of the Great Depression. His Mother Irene Elizabeth Guerin and Father James Richard Stephens, brother Jay Stephens and sister Viola Stephens McEndarffer of Pontiac and Detroit Michigan all predeceased him. James was as a young man raised by his maternal grandmother Amelia Bohl Stephens Boomer where he departed her care to enlist in the United States Army.
James first duty station was in the immediate aftermath of World War II in allied occupied Germany. Where he met his wife Erika Philomena Wagner Stephens, He continued for many years in overseas posts to include Korea and many posts during the Vietnam war. A true regular Army soldier James spent almost 23 continuous years of active service culminating in the rank of Sergeant First Class. All during a very tumultuous period in this nation’s history spanning three wars WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Long before the dust settled on European battlefields in World War II, the US Army had to face the difficult tasks of occupying and governing war-torn Germany. Its leaders and troops were called upon to deal with a series of complex challenges in political, economic, financial, social, and cultural affairs, tasks beyond the traditional combat roles of soldiers. James directly worked for many general officers most notably Five Star General Dwight D Eisenhower as first military governor of occupied Germany. And then General Lucious Clay.
His ability as administrative NCO in headquarters Office of Military Government United States. OMGUS brought many accolades for work well done. James would speak many times over the years of his proud service during those times. James retired from the US Army on 1 April 1969. He would often quip with a wry smile and hearty laugh “and yes on April fool’s day”. His decorations include an Army Good Conduct Medal with 7 knots, WWII victory medal, Occupation of Germany medal with Berlin Airlift device, Army commendation medal /Oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with star, Army Expedition Medal, with device, Korean Service medal.
James’s first wife, Erika preceded him in death and rests in Arlington National Cemetery. James second wife, Vera Stephens also preceded him in death and rests in Selma N.C.
James’s children are Viola G Stephens, Patrick Lee Stephens, Keith R Stephens. James was very fond of his extended family Vina Tobin-Stephens, Lauren Tobin, Jason Tobin, Hadley Stephens, Joseph Stephens, Matthew Stephens, Elliott Stephens, Ella Stephens and Loralye Stephens.
James will be laid to rest with his wife in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a date to be determined. Expressions of condolence can be sent to The Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir, Va.
