William (Bill) H. Stephens Sr.

William (Bill) H. Stephens Sr., Age 94, Passes Away Peacefully Thursday, August 22, 2024

William H. Stephens Sr., known to many as Bill, passed away peacefully at the age of 94. Born on March 9, 1930, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Hardy Price Stephens and Pauline Lockaby Stephens, Bill grew up to lead a life marked by service, hard work, and dedication to his community.

Bill graduated from Tech High School in Atlanta, Georgia. He served his country honorably as an Army veteran during the Korean War, following his military service, Bill embarked on business venture establishing Gas Doctors in DeKalb County, Georgia before a long career in public service in 1960. He often came to Hall County to visit his parents whom retired to Murrayville, Georgia and upon seeing the area he fell in love with Hall Couty and finding opportunity work for the City of Gainesville as the City of Gainesville Building Inspector. After the merger of the City and Hall County inspection departments, he became the County Chief Building Inspector. Bill retired from the Hall County Building Inspection Department in 1994 after 34 years of service in Gainesville and Hall County.

An avid golfer and a dedicated small farmer, Bill was well-known in Hall County. He was also a former member of the Gainesville Chapter of the American Legion and the Rotary Club of Gainesville. Bill spent more than 60 years in the home he built on the lake in 1960s, a place full of cherished memories.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Hardy Price Stephens, Pauline Lockaby Stephens, and his sister, Sara K. Burgess of Murrayville, Georgia. He is survived by his son Billy Stephens and daughter-in-law Melinda, as well as his grandson Trevor, all of Lilburn, Georgia.

Graveside services will be held Monday August 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Alta Vista Cemetery. Rev. Brian Smith will officiate.  The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home Sunday August 25 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Bill’s legacy of service, love for his community, and dedication to his family will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. In lieu of flowers please make a donation Bill’s name to the Hall County Humane Society https://humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org/donate-now/

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.