RUFFIN :    William Asbury Stephens, husband of the late Elizabeth Jane Wright Stephens, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton.  He was 85.

Mr. Stephens was born in Miami, FL November 9, 1937, a son of the late Asbury and Gladys Dodd Stephens.  For over twenty years he served his country faithfully in the United States Army.  SPF Stephens began his Army career serving in France and Germany, and was eventually deployed to the Dominican Republic with the 82 ^nd Airborne Division. He would later serve two tours in Vietnam with the 101 ^st Airborne Division, where was awarded The Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat, and was also awarded…among many other citations…the Bronze Star for meritorious and heroic service. Throughout his career, his devoted wife Elizabeth supported him and tirelessly raised their three sons in a loving and caring home.  Mr. Stephens was a member of the Walterboro Masonic Lodge and also Bethel United Methodist Church in Walterboro.

Mr. Stephens is survived by three sons:  William A. Stephens II (Jill) of Ruffin, Glen Howard Stephens (Emily) of Charlotte, and Michael John Stephens of Beaufort.  There are four grandchildren, Gabriel, Angelina, Faith and John.

Graveside funeral services, with full military honors, will be held Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11:00 at the Beaufort National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends during a time of visitation Sunday evening, January 8, 2022 from 5:00 until 7:00 at Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street, Walterboro, SC  29488.