This family has been living a nightmare of grief since this addiction began.
 I am so sorry for the pain and loss that you all have endured. Sending you all my sympathy . 

You and  Your sons, brothers and family are forever in my thoughts. 

I  did not know either young man, but I know that I could have. They were yours, and I know that they were loved by all of you. 
Sincerely yours,
Teacher, DJ

Dear Diane and Will,
We remember seeing your four little boys walking from your car across the parking lot into First Baptist.  Perfectly behaved (at least for those steps.)  We were all given the children God meant us to have and to "raise up ... in the way they should go and in their old age, they shall not depart from it. "  Two of your boys and our daughter never made it to "old age" even though they were raised in the Lord.  He knew they would be safe with Him when He called them home and we can be thankful for that blessing.
Thank you for your example of being good parents and we know you and we were blessed to have these children and their siblings as long as we have and did.
In His Love,
Shelby and Alex Credle



Dear Diane, Will and family.  I am so very sorry for your loss and send sincere condolences to you all.

Hello Diane and Will ,
I didn't know William.  I pray for you and your family during this difficult time.  I can't imagine the loss of a child.
May you remember the good times.   May you feel the comfort of others during this difficult time.

I sing along the praises that William knew the Lord and was saved. I sing along that while his lifespan was short his impact will be large. 

Diane, Myra the tribute video told a beautiful story. 

Oldest boy a father’s pride and joy who was always close at hand.   A Ball/Duke fan like his dad. 

A caring involved brother who was always there when it counted. I see the brother and son who always leaned into or reached out for a physical connection. I'll bet he gave up the best hugs. A kind sweet soul who wanted As we all do to be accepted and loved.  

It's really evident here he was loving uncle with an affinity toward children. And they loved him so. Maybe because he was a fun guy who didn't mind clowing around, Standing out in the crowd being goofy and wearing a blue suit and hat to his GodMother’s wedding.
I see a friend who enjoyed time with those who mattered most. 
I see the loving Grandson who thought his grandads hung the moon. A caregiver at heart he spent time with them doing what they wanted to do.

My heart goes to you and the boys.  May he be with you always and God be with you all in this time of grief.  Will & Diane I'm Heartbroken for you and sending my love. Kati Baker Hobson

My heart goes out to you all. And I sing along the praises that William.knew the Lord and was saved.  Piece be with you all in this time of grief.  Kati Baker Hobson

It pains me Not to be with my sister and her family today! They asked me to pray at the end. Thank you, Mark Gammon for stepping in! Well done. 

My sis texted she hated that she didn’t get to hear me pray, so I will do so here, before God, but also in print for her to read. 

Holy Father, 

Our hearts hurt. We know you understand separation and loss and grief. When your son died “the earth shook and the rocks split.” You get it. As was quoted in service, “Jesus wept.” He gets it too. Help us to mourn. Sometimes it just feels like we have this reservoir of tears and once we cry them out, we let our hearts get hard. Oh let that not be so! Teach us to mourn. You say “there is a time for it and a season”. But how many seasons of grief must this family endure, Lord?! I think of Naomi, Jesus’ great great great great + grandmother who too lost two sons. She changed her name to Mara as she was so bitter! Use Emma as a comfort to Diane as you did Obed to Naomi. As you brought Naomi  her daughter in law, Ruth, thank you for Celeste and for the comfort she Ryleigh and Brantley bring. May her words be heeded as she so boldly preached today. 

God, surely “Sin crouches at our door. It desires to master us, but we must master it!” Help us Lord, to master the sin in our lives and help each and everyone of us to “work out OUR salvation with fear and trembling.”! God, forgive us our sins. Oh forgive  William his! Have mercy on his soul Lord.  God, forgive him and see him into your kingdom.  

Be with the family in the days, weeks, months and years to come. May they always leave a candle burning for Parker and William when they gather and hold sacred the happy memories while heeding the warnings of addiction. We pray to live lives of self control and  holiness. Let not sin master us anyone and use this tragic story that  “was meant for evil for something  good; the saving of many lives!”  We humbly live and breathe and pray in Jesus name, Amen. 

Big Willy! You were one of my best friends in high school. You would ALWAYS make us girls laugh. You left a love note for my sister at my house and thought it was hilarious. I am so sad that our lives took different paths and our friendship faded, but I never forgot you. I thought about you and prayed for you often. I know that you are free from all of your suffering and your family will find comfort in the Lord. I pray that your daughter will always know how kind your heart was and how much you loved her.  
Love always,
Jessica 

One of my favorite memories was when we were down by 11 points and only 2 minutes to go. Will and Martin brought us into overtime and won the game.
Another one is that basketball camp with major pain and the horrible baked spaghetti.

I am so sorry for your loss but rejoicing that Will is in a better place.   God bless you all. I am so sorry

Will,
It is very hard to write this. I know you were fighting for awhile and it broke my heart. I have so many memories with you. I have known you and Parker since I was in middle school. You will be missed so much. I still have the note you wrote me a couple of years ago that you left on my car. It breaks my heart that you are gone, but I know you are no longer fighting/struggling. My heart goes out to your family

This is so hard to write. There are so many memories of you and I together. We had such a blast whether it was movie nights in or going camping together and be making you watch 'Say Yes to the Dress' with me even if you hated it, you still watched it with me and gave me all your ideas! It was a great memory. We talked about anything and everything and you always listen to me when I talked to you about something that was bothering me. That was the thing, even when you were fighting your own battles you put those aside and listened to me talk about what was going on with me. You always put others before yourself. You were an amazing listener and someone I will truly miss so much. I'm still so proud of myself for getting you into that lake water that one day and so glad I have picture proof because let me tell you, it took an arm and a leg to get your complaining self into that water that day, but you had a blast once you got in and you look at me and said "okay Kim, I'm in". It makes me so sad to know I will never have another day with you to laugh and cut up but i'm so blessed to have the memories I have with you. William, I will forever remember you and the times we had together. God needed you home. I will always love you so much my friend. Love always and forever, Kimberly.

         Miss you more then you would ever know we have always kept up and always had each other's back through and through no matter how many city's, states, or miles you always would know when somthing wasn't right and same with you. I hope that your at peace finally after all the pain. Thanks for always lifting my spirits even if and when you weren't doing the best as well and always staying positive and telling me that "everything was OK and will only get better you just have to keep your head up". Being the shoulder that I've cried on and the ears that have heard more then one story in my life. Thanks for never judging me and always seeing the real me and excepting it, and only trying to help me fly. Miss you "Sun".  

Love Forever & Always Allie (Moon)

To Family 
I'm so sorry for your loss and hate that the day has ever come I love you all very much. Please know that he's in good hands now and free. Hope that you all heal faster then most and wish you all the best and health. 

W/love Allison Stevens

I'll miss you will, thanks for the laughs. Love you buddy❤️❤️❤️❤️

I remember meeting Will freshman year and instantly becoming the closet of friends. Will would invite me over for the weekend and we would stay up all night playing 2k or NCAA football. Will had a gift of knowing how to make any and everyone laugh. I am very fortunate to have known William and I will forever cherish our moments together. 

Diane, 

We’ve only met a time or two, but I have always followed the story of your family through Myra that I have known since 1985/86? Not quite sure about those dates,  My heartfelt sympathies go out to you snd your entire family, for not only the recent loss of William, but also the loss of Parker. 
I know that with the strong faith of all of you, you will find a way to get through this, one step at a time. I cannot imagine the pain. 💔 I am truly so very sorry for your loss.  God Bless 🙏

I am so sorry. Although I did not know William well, the few times I was around him he always brought joy.

OBITUARY

William Boyd Stephenson III

11 November, 1987 – 15 January, 2022

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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