Master Sgt. William Bridges Stevens, born Nov. 19, 1944 in Indianapolis, Ind. The oldest son of Col. William F. Stevens and Adna Bridges Stevens, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 20 years including assignments from Oklahoma to Iceland.
After retiring in 1983, he worked in the aerospace and financial industries until returning to the Phoenix area with America West Airlines. He spent the last 10 years enjoying life in Ahwatukee Foothills near his children and grandchildren. Bill celebrated 45 years as a Master Mason and was involved in Job’s Daughters International where he served as Associate Guardian of Bethel 19 in the 1980s. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Nazarene University and his MBA in global management from the University of Phoenix in Arizona.
Master Sgt. Stevens died Sept. 5 in Phoenix after a two-year battle with brain injuries suffered in an auto accident. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife of 44 years, Carolyn Kaye Dittrich Stevens. Master Sgt. Stevens was sustained in life and survived by two daughters, Tandy R. Elisala and Felicity E. Stevens, and three grandchildren, Amanda, Sarah and Steven Elisala, as well as siblings Tandy Leone Gotschall and Riley Stevens.
Services will take place at 5:30 p.m. today, Sept. 14, at the Legacy Funeral Home chapel, 2374 N. Arizona Ave. in Chandler. Donations in his memory may be offered to the Arizona Brain Injury Alliance.
