Rev Willard Leslie Stevens

SNOW HILL- Reverend Willard Leslie Stevens, 96, of Snow Hill, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 31, 2014 while living at Sarah, Margaret and Mollie’s Assisted Living in Salisbury. He was born August 6, 1917, in Greenbackville, Virginia, a son of the late Arthur Leslie Stevens and Helen Marsh Stevens. He was raised in Snow Hill and enjoyed his early days there with his late brothers, Herbert and Brantley Stevens. He graduated from Snow Hill High School as the winner of the “Old Home Prize,” today’s equivalent to valedictorian. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from Salisbury University. After graduation he took a job teaching at the Colora Friends School where he stayed from 1938 to 1940. In 1940 he moved to Smith Island where he taught grades 1-8 in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1941 he proudly served his country by enlisting in the Army and in 1943 entered the Army Air Corps. He attended Officers Training School in Miami, Fl. He graduated and came out as 1st Lieutenant. While attending a church in Miami in 1944, he noticed a certain young woman with a beautiful voice that kept him coming back to church, week after week. He called it an “exciting, stupendous and beautiful event” after finally meeting her and courting Laura C. Alexander. On April 4, 1944, they married and enjoyed a remarkable 70 years of marriage. He was a true romantic; and throughout those 70 years, he remained smitten by her and continuously showed his love with cards, flowers and gifts. After his honorable discharge in 1945, the next chapter of his life led him to the Wesleyan Seminary in Westminster, Maryland. He became ordained as a United Methodist pastor in 1948 and ministered for 37 years in Maryland, Missouri and North Carolina. Even in his early days, he promoted equality of all people. A Biblical scholar, he loved to study the Bible and continued his quest to learn and understand the Bible as much as possible. He led an intriguing life and actually wrote a book titled “Walking Short,” which detailed the adventures and blessings of his life. He had a true love and appreciation for music, especially his wife’s singing. He was a lifelong patron of Dayton’s Restaurant in Salisbury, where he considered the folks there part of his own family. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Laura Alexander Stevens; 3 children, Deitra Kay Stevens of Frederick, Maryland and St. Thomas, VI, Richard Leslie Stevens of Frederick, Maryland and Robin R. Brown, and her husband, Richard, of San Jose, California; 5 grandchildren, Justin, Stefanie, Jacob, Chelsea, and Jena; and 2 sisters-in-law, Grace Stevens and Almeda Alexander. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Bates Memorial United Methodist Church in Snow Hill. The Reverend Tina Whaley will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Bates Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Bates Memorial United Methodist Church, c/o Debbie Hambrick, 402 S. Morris Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Rev Willard Leslie Stevens

August 6, 1917 - May 31, 2014