William Keenan Stephenson

William Keenan Stephenson
Greenville, SC

William Keenan Stephenson, age 94, passed on Saturday, November 10, 2018.

"Bill" was born in West Point, Georgia in 1924. He was the son of Harry Roberts and Elizabeth Keenan Stephenson. He moved to Greenville as an infant and, for the rest of his life, was devoted to his church, his family, and this community. He was a past president of the Poinsett Club and The Cotillion Club, chairman of Christ Church Episcopal School Board for three terms, chairman of Greenville Hospital System Board, a board member of many organizations including Greenville Health Corp., the Greenville YMCA and many other civic organizations all contributing to the growth and prosperity of Greenville. At Christ Church Episcopal, he served in many capacities, including Sunday school superintendent, vestry member, junior warden, and senior warden.

His early education was at the St. Mary's School in Greenville. In 1943, he graduated high school from Woodberry Forest School, where he was the senior prefect and a recipient of the Archer Christian Medal for the senior class member who distinguished himself in character, leadership, and athletics. In the midst of WWII, he enlisted in the US Calvary because of his extensive experience with horses. Soon after he reported, the U.S. Calvary was dismantled. He joined the Infantry and served from 1943-1946 as a staff sergeant in the 66th Black Panther and the 42nd Rainbow Divisions. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he graduated Washington and Lee University and received a BS in Business Administration in 1949. He was president of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta.

Bill started his career in the textile industry at West Point Mfg. Co., where he met the love of his life, Martha Dickson. He later worked at Southern Bleachery & Print Works Inc. in Greenville. He then spent more than forty years in the securities industry and was a principal with V.M. Manning & Co., a local broker dealer. A strong believer in protecting investors, Bill served as president of the Security Dealers of The Carolinas and Chairman of the National Association of Security Dealers Business Conduct Committee. He was a great advocate of thrift, and he advised his clients to save part of every dollar they earned. He expertly helped many Greenvillians with their investments.
Bill was an avid golfer and in his latter years, he enjoyed computer golf with his long time friend, 99 year old Perry Gwinn, who faithfully came to see Bill most days. He was a lover of dogs, horses, and life. He was a huge fan of the Gamecocks and sent his four sons to Carolina. On the other hand, Bill had little regard for the Tigers, but he forgave his grandson, who is currently enrolled at Clemson.

Bill will be sorely missed by his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Martha Laney Dickson Stephenson, his four sons, Keenan Stephenson (Caroline) of Columbia, Tom Stephenson (Dianne), Harry Stephenson, and John Stephenson (Stephanie), all of Greenville, as well as by his nine grandchildren, Laney Pilhar (Stefan), Allen Stephenson (Patricia), Hal Stephenson, Scot Stephenson, Bruce Stephenson, Ramsey Stephenson, McLeod Stephenson, Hal Miley, and Callie Miley. He also is survived by two great-grandchildren: Paul Pilhar and Mary Electra Stephenson. Mr. Stephenson was predeceased by a fifth son, Daniel McLeod Stephenson and a brother, Harry (Steve) Stephenson.

Special thanks is extended to his caregivers these last few months: Celesteen Allen, Lateka Mitchell, and Takeisha Gray.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at Christ Church Episcopal. Private burial will be held in Christ Churchyard.

The family will receive friends at a celebration held at the Greenville Country Club immediately following the church service.

Memorials may be made to Christ Church Episcopal, 10 North Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601 or the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.