William W. Stevens
William W. Stevens, 89, Springfield, Mo., passed away October 13, 2009. He was born in Neosho, Mo., on June 7, 1920. William was a graduate of Neosho High School. He graduated with a BS in Gelolgy in 1942 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and received an M.S. in Geology in 1948 from the University of Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Air Force from November 29, 1943 to March 21, 1946. He received a certificate of meteorology from the U.S. Air Force School of Meteorology from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1943, andwas certified from the Air Force School of Air Traffic Control, Flushing, Long Island, N.Y., in 1944. From 1948 to 1957 he was assistant district geologist for Magnolia Petroleum Co., from 1957 to 1959 he was chief geologist for Franco Central Oil Co., from 1959 to 1966 he was a consulting petroleum geologist, and from 1966 to 1987 he was associate director of development for the University of Missouri – Rolla. On September 22, 1950, William was united in marriage to Martha Mathers in Mt. Vernon, Ill. He attended Brentwood Christian Church and volunteered for Crosslines and RSVP, was a member of the Elks Lodge, and was treasurer for Sigma Chi and Springfield Dance Club. He received the Order of Constantine Sigma Chi Fraternity and enjoyed reading. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Mathers Stevens; his brother, Reece Alm; his mother, Mary Leah Stevens; and his dad, William Walter Stevens Sr. He is survived by daughter Lisa and husband, Curt Westrich; grandchildren, Katelyn Westrich and Rebekah Westrich; sisters, Margaret and husband, Leland Bussell, and Mary Gilliatt; nieces, Dianne McCormick, Janet Bussell, Karen Bussell-Longabardi; Beth Keane, Laurie Wagner, Kathleen Buckner and Elaine Denning; and close friend, Lucy Pegg. Funeral services will be held in Brentwood Christian Church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2009. Burial will follow at 3 p.m., in Ozark Hills Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Monday, October 19, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m., in Greenlawn Funeral Home East. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crosslines.