William Charles Stevens^[1]

1929 - 2005  (76 years)

• Name	William Charles Stevens
  Born	21 Feb 1929	Pelham, Georgia
  Gender	Male
  Died	12 Sep 2005	Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee   [2]
  Person ID	I186070	Smoky Mountain Ancestral Quest
  Last Modified	3 May 2015

  
  

  Father	James Alison Stevens,   d. Bef 12 Sep 2005
  Mother	Sylvania Ragan,   d. Bef 12 Sep 2005
  Family ID	F70426	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Barbara S. Steele
  Family ID	F25238	Group Sheet

  
  

• Event Map		Died - 12 Sep 2005 - Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee  = Link to Google Maps   = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Sources

  [S106] The Mountain Press, 9 Sep 2007. Gatlinburg fishing pier and ramp dedicated in honor of Stevens By: CANDICE GRIMM Staff Writer September 09, 2007 GATLINBURG - Two years and $220,000 after the late Bill Stevens envisioned a handicap-accessible fishing pier in the city, the ramp and pier at Herbert Holt Park were dedicated Friday in an emotional ceremony that included Stevens' family and many friends. Her voice quivering, City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle spoke of her "dear friend" Stevens' love for his friends and the city, his compassion for people, and his many accomplishments. "On behalf of the city, I am proud to dedicate the Bill Stevens Fishing Ramp and Pier," said Ogle. Many in the audience of about 50 wiped away tears after Ogle and Stevens' wife Barbara unveiled the monument bearing a bronze cast of Stevens' face, and Barbara Stevens leaned over and kissed her husband's likeness. Afterward, Stevens said, "You know I'm never speechless, but every time I think of this wonderful honor, it makes me cry. So, I thank you on his behalf, and my family thanks you. I know how happy he would be about this." Recreation Director Marty Nicely called the ceremony "a special day" and said "I am thrilled to have a part in it." Nicely also thanked the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which gave the city a $100,000 matching grant for the ramp and pier, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), which gave the city a $20,000 grant for it. Bob Nichols, TWRA's region four manager, said the pier was the first of its kind to be built on a cold water fishery in Tennessee. "To have the trout program here, the pier and pool area on a cold water fishery, this is a unique opportunity. It's a good fit for Gatlinburg," said Nichols. The ceremony was halted briefly when City Commissioner Harry Montgomery, former Chief of Police collapsed. After being helped to his feet he walked to a cruiser where he cooled off, and was said to have driven himself home. cgrimm@themountainpress.com [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 12 Sep 2005. William Charles Stevens February 21, 1929 - September 12, 2005 Birthplace: Pelham, Georgia Resided In: Gatlinburg Tennessee USA Visitation: September 15, 2005 Service: September 15, 2005 William Charles Stevens, 76, of Gatlinburg passed away at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in Knoxville on Monday, September 12, 2005. He was the husband of Barbara Steele Stevens and a longtime resident of Gatlinburg. Bill Stevens was born on February 21, 1929 in Pelham, Georgia, the son of James Alison and Sylvania Ragan Stevens. He was a graduate of Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 until 1954 and was a veteran of the Korean War. Upon returning to Bristol he worked for WCYB radio station and was its first television announcer in 1957. He attended King College and received his Bachelor of Science from East Tennessee State University in 1959. He was a resident of Johnson City from 1961 until 1968. Bill Stevens moved to Gatlinburg in 1968 and worked for Chalet Village Corporation where he was instrumental in the development of Chalet Village. For 28 years he was the announcer of Pi Beta Phi – Gatlinburg-Pittman High School football games. He served as a Gatlinburg City Commissioner from 1988 until 1995 and as City Mayor form 1990 to 1991. He was President of the Sevier County Board of Realtors and the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of the Zeno Wall, Jr. Tourism Award. In addition, he served for years on the Sevier County Industrial Board, was the first President of the Gatlinburg Sportsman Club, a member and past President of Gatlinburg Rotary Club and a member of the American Legion Post # 202. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James Mercer and Theodore Ragan, and his sister, Geraldine Brimberry. Bill Stevens is survived by his wife, Barbara Steele Stevens, and his four children, Elizabeth Ruth Koepenick (Martin) of Atlanta, James Miller (Elke Herden) of Berlin, Germany, Caroline Tucker Bolvig of Birmingham and Jay Ragan (Laura Rowe) of Atlanta as well as his stepchildren Tina Maples Nelson, Amy Maples Bales and Patrick Louis Maples of Gatlinburg. He is also survived by his grandchildren Miller Thurn Koepenick of New York, Frances Elizabeth Koepenick of Paris, France, Elizabeth Tucker and Christoffer Peterson Bolvig of Birmingham, Muriel Ruth Stevens of Berlin, Germany, William Evans Stevens of Atlanta, Chad, Aaron, Nathan, Kendra and Jada Ogle and Caleb Bales; his great-grandchildren Dawson Werner and Reece Ogle of Gatlinburg. He is also survived by his sister Eleanor Crumley of Danville, Virginia and a number of nieces and nephews.