William Edgar Stephenson, Jr.

William Edgar Stephenson, 83

William Edgar Stephenson passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026 in Lake Wales, FL. He was born in September 1942, in Pascagoula, MS. His family moved to Lake Wales in 1953. In his lifetime he also resided in Boston, New York City, Hackensack and Clifton, NJ, and Madison, AL.

He graduated from Lake Wales High School where he ran track, played baseball, earned 1958 and 1959 Florida All-Star honors in football, and served as the 1960 Senior Class President. Following High School, he attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, Class of 1964, where he was a member of the undefeated USCGA football team under Coach Otto Graham that went to the 1963 Tangerine Bowl, and he sailed across the Atlantic twice on the USCGC Eagle. He graduated with a Batchelor of Science in Engineering Management from Boston University, and earned a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Pace University.

Bill spent 45 years working as an Estimator, Project Manager and Executive in the commercial electrical contracting industry, mostly in New York City. He was a member of the New York Building Congress, NECA, served on committees that wrote and revised the National Electrical Code, and was active in many other committees and trade associations.

He was a decades-long member of American Mensa, a BSA Scoutmaster for 9 years and a Scouter, and an avid bridge player. He was an active international traveler and loved taking cruises and trips with Carolyn and his many friends from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. He also loved the N.Y. Metropolitan Opera and attending performances of other companies when he travelled. Bill returned to Lake Wales in 2019, greatly enjoying water aerobics and bridge at the Community Center, and served on the board of his community association at Lake Wales CC.

He is survived by his devoted companion Carolyn Gaver, son William (Ed) Stephenson, grandson Will Stephenson, and his daughter-in-law Raquel Stephenson. He was preceded in death by his father William Stephenson, Sr, his mother Mina Breeland, his daughter Tracy Jean, and his brother Dennis Stephenson who was also a graduate of Lake Wales High School.

The family will be receiving friends at his home on Saturday, August 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to the USCGA Alumni Association Class of 1964 Endowment Fund in memory of Bill Stephenson, 47 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320, or to Good Shepherd Hospice at www.chaptershealth.org/chapters-health-foundation/good-shepherd-hospice-donation.