William V. (Dickie) Stephens, 87, of Lake Placid, formerly of Ona, died on Dec. 10, 2012 at Lake Placid Health Care Center. Born on June 21, 1925, he was a Navy WWII veteran serving as a tail gunner in a torpedo dive bomber. He was a farmer, rancher, and citrus buyer most of his life. He served on the Board of Directors for the Peace River Electric Cooperative for nine years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine where he served as song director for many years, and formerly of New Zion Baptist Church, also serving as song director.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon T. and Myrta Stephens, and a son, Ricky Stephens. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ruby Stephens of Lake Placid; two sons, Leon Stephens and wife Bobbi of Bowling Green, and Bruce Stephens of Wauchula; two daughters, Martiel (Sissy) Layton and husband Clay of Wauchula, and Brenn Simonen and husband Jarkko of Portland, Oregon; one brother,
Allen Noel Stephens of Lake Placid; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Robarts Garden Chapel in Wauchula from 6-8 P.M. Funeral services are on Friday at the First Baptist Church of Lake Josephine at 11:00 A.M., with a visitation one hour prior. Rev. Kevin Ahrens and Rev. Allen Altvater will officiate. A second service is at New Zion Baptist Church in Ona at 3:00 P.M., with visitation one hour prior with Rev. Robert Roberts and Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Interment is in New Zion Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the DeSoto County Honor Guard