Willis H. Stephens, a lifelong resident of Brewster, passed away comfortably Oct. 17, 2024, at Putnam Hospital in Carmel. He was 99 years of age.
Born June 7, 1925, in Danbury, Conn., he was one of three children born to D. Mallory and Grace (Hine) Stephens. He attended Brewster Central Schools and graduated from The Lawrenceville School, a college preparatory school in Lawrenceville, N.J., in 1943.
He enrolled at Princeton University as a member of the Class of 1947, but deferred the start of his college education to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served as a flight instructor and, before discharge, attained the rank of second lieutenant. At the end of World War II, he returned to Princeton and was conferred a bachelor of arts degree in 1950, majoring in economics.
After college, Willis Stephens joined Maust Coal & Coke Corporation, brokers of industrial fuels. In 1959, he formed The W. H. Stephens Corporation and continued in the business of selling coal and oil to major industries and utilities in the northeastern U.S. for the next 30 years.
On Nov. 24, 1951, Willis Stephens married Daphne Dunbar in Marblehead, Mass., and they established their home in Brewster, where they raised four sons: Daniel M. Stephens II, Willis H. Stephens Jr., Gardner M. Stephens, and Jonathan H. Stephens.
In 1952, following in his father’s footsteps, Willis Stephens was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing Putnam County and parts of Dutchess and Westchester counties. He served honorably in the State Legislature for 30 years, retiring in 1982.
During his tenure, he served on numerous legislative committees and, at the pinnacle of his career in politics, was named chairman of the powerful Assembly Ways & Means Committee and, later, as ranking member of that committee.
Known for his ability to work cooperatively with legislators on both sides of the aisle, he proved himself to be a valuable member of the State Legislature, helping navigate New York State through often trying fiscal and turbulent social times. He served for many years as an elected member of the New York Republican State Committee.
During his professional career, Mr. Stephens served as a member of numerous corporate boards, including National Bank of North America and, after its merger with National Westminster Bank PLC – a British banking conglomerate, NatWest USA, Greenwich Savings Bank, Continental Copper & Steel Corporation, City Title Insurance Company, and Putnam Hospital Center. He also served as a trustee of Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling.
During his lifetime, Mr. Stephens was a member of many business, civic, and philanthropic organizations including the New York Coal Trades Association, the Town of Southeast Industrial Development Agency, American Legion Post 71 in Brewster, the Brewster Rotary Club, and Putnam County Fish & Game Club, and was a charter member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 2101, to name a few.
He was most proud of his membership on the Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid and his role in helping bring the Winter Olympics back to Lake Placid. The Stephens family maintained its “home away from home” in Lake Placid, where they enjoyed the company of friends and extended family for decades.
A lifelong outdoorsman, Willis enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing in the Adirondack Mountains and Canada. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing golf with family, friends, and business associates throughout his lifetime.
Willis Stephens is survived by: sons Daniel (Sharon) of Brewster, Willis Jr. (Virginia) of Brewster, Gardner of Lake Placid, and Jonathan (Kristin) of Sherman, Conn.; six grandchildren, Daniel M. Stephens III (Elspeth) of Hurricane, W.V., Andrew (partner Matt) of Queens, Kelly (Trevor) Pieri of New Canaan, Conn., Willis III (Samantha) of New Canaan, James “Mac” of New York, and John “Jack” of Sherman, Conn.; seven great-grandchildren; brother Mallory (Dolores) of Wolfeboro, N.H.; nieces Grace Parker of Richmond, Va., and Diana Stephens of Windham, N.H.; and nephew Mallory (Claudia) of Wells, Maine.
He was predeceased by his dear sister Alice Schneckenburger. His loving wife Daphne predeceased him in 2006.
Calling hours will be Monday, Oct. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m., at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church on Quaker Hill, 17 Church Road, Pawling, on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m., immediately followed by interment at the Maple Avenue Cemetery in Patterson.
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