William "Bill" R. Stevenson

William “Bill” R. Stevenson, 86, passed away with his beloved wife by his side on March 20, 2023. Born on January 16, 1937 in Hackensack, New Jersey son to William J. and Emma (Sturm) Stevenson. A 1954 graduate of Hackensack High School, Bill started college but then went on to join the U.S Army in November of 1954. After being discharged in 1956, in his working career he spent some time as a millwright, then worked in the Byron Nuclear Plant. On January 15, 1977, he said his wedding vows to his best friend and beloved bride, Josephine Butitta Paris at the Church By the Side of the Road in Rockton. Later in 1985 they purchased the Pepper Mill restaurant, but Bill was always one to keep busy and ended up working at UPS until his retirement in 2004. He let his retirement last about two days before he started his involvement at Prairie View Golf Course. Bill excelled in all the sports that he played, from baseball as a teenager, bowling, winning metals in trap shooting, and his last job of running the Senior League at the golf course he loved; what it meant really was that he could enjoy his time surrounded by his friends on the course. Bill will always be remembered as someone who took pride in his manner, dress, care, and kindness that he showed to all that he met.

He will be survived by those who loved him most, his wife of 46 years, Josephine; son Domenic Paris, two daughters as well as their children; his siblings Robert (Bonnie) Stevenson, Nancy (Preston) Cudney, Jeanette Graf and brother-in-law Sam (Nancy) Butitta; several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law, Norman Graf. A very special thank you to the Critical Care Center, the Immediate Care Center and the Heart Center all located at OSF St. Anthony for the kindness, care, and compassion that they showed to both Bill and Josephine throughout Bill’s care.

A visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Memorial Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1010 Ferguson Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102, with a fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be established at a later date. to send online condolences or memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com