William L. Stevens
The Right Reverend William Louis Stevens | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Fond du Lac | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | Fond du Lac |
| Elected | May 9, 1980 |
| In office | 1980–1994 |
| Predecessor | William H. Brady |
| Successor | Russell Jacobus |
| Previous post(s) | Coadjutor Bishop of Fond du Lac(1980) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | January 1957 byKarl M. Block |
| Consecration | September 7, 1980 byJohn Allin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 12, 1932 |
| Died | November 4, 1997(aged 65) Plantation, Florida,United States |
| Buried | St Benedict's Memorial Garden,Plantation, Florida |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Parents | Ralph Fremont Stevens & Elsie Mae Schultz |
| Alma mater | San Francisco State University General Theological Seminary |
William Louis Stevens(January 12, 1932 – November 4, 1997) was a bishop in the United StatesEpiscopal Church.
Early life
[edit]William Louis Stevens was born inYuba City, California,on January 12, 1932. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree fromSan Francisco State Universityin 1953 then attended andGeneral Theological Seminary, New York,where in 1956 he received aBachelor of Sacred Theologydegree.
Priesthood
[edit]The Rt. Rev.Karl M. Block,Bishop of California,ordained Stevens aDeaconin 1956 and apriestin 1957. Stevens then served congregations in San Francisco, andLondon, England.Stevens then becameVicarofSt. Benedict's Episcopal Church, Plantation, Florida,in 1961, leading the congregation from mission to parish status. He also became a novice in theOrder of the Holy Cross.From 1961 to 1980 he held numerous positions of responsibility in the community and theDiocese of Southeast Florida,including President of the Standing Committee and Chairman of the Liturgical Commission. As a parish priest he was especially sought out for his wise spiritual counsel and personal pastoral ability.
Episcopate
[edit]Stevens was consecrated the sixth bishop ofFond du Lacon September 7, 1980. He was anAnglo Catholicwho knew the history of the diocese he was called to serve.[1]As Bishop, he led the diocese in spiritual renewal, emphasized religious education, and strengthened personal and corporate Christian commitment. As a preacher, he was skilled at bringing theological concepts to life: complex ideas were made clear by stories and examples. As Bishop, he took his role as teacher seriously. Always compassionate, he wanted to make sure his hearers understood that theology helped them live more Christian lives. While her adapted to the climate ofWisconsin,he stoically endured poor health during many of his 14 years in the diocese.
Bishop Stevens was the recipient of two honorary doctorates in 1981; aDoctor of DivinityfromGeneral Theological SeminaryandDoctor of Canon LawfromNashotah House.Stevens served as President of the Board of Trustees ofNashotah House Theological Seminary.He served asEpiscopal Visitorfor theOrder of St. Benedictin Two Rivers, Michigan, and theSisters of the Holy Nativityin Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. For Bishop Stevens, this wasn't merely apro formarelationship. He spent much time at the Mother House, and the Sisters became a second family to him. He served as Chairman of theHouse of BishopsCommission on Religious Communities and was on the Board of Directors of the national organization ofEpiscopalians for Life.He was enrolled as a life member of theConfraternity of the Blessed Sacramenton April 11, 1983.
Ecumenismwas a strong interest of Stevens. He built up the diocese's relationship with Wisconsin LARCUM (Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic-United Methodist) and with EDEO (Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical Officers) and signed an expansive covenant with the localRoman CatholicDiocese andELCALutheran Synod. Those associated with him, with his most conservative views, were often surprised to hear him exhort ecumenists to “just get on with it,” without splitting theological hairs. Though conservative himself, Bishop Stevens made it his mission to establish a climate open to diversity of opinion, one which would not lead to polarization among those of opposing views. A modest, unassuming man, he treated everyone with unfailing courtesy and was a sympathetic listener. He expected his clergy and people to handle differences with tolerance and good manners. Those who worked with him soon perceived just how much he hated loud arguments, or hectoring language. His sermons often proclaimed that the Church on earth was “a hospital for sinners,” lest people forget that there would always be disagreement, mistakes, human mess. His participation in numerous devotional societies expressed his conviction thatprayerwas vital to the life of anyChristianbody.
He returned to Plantation, Florida following his retirement in January, 1994. William Louis Stevens died November 4, 1997, after a two-year struggle with the results of a debilitating stroke. A requiem mass[2]was held at St. Benedict's Church,Plantation, Florida.His cremated remains are buried in St. Benedict's Memorial Garden. A Memorial Service was held at theCathedral of St. Paul the Apostle in Fond du Lac.
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Website of theDiocese of Fond du Lac,Archives, Bishops
- Obituaries,Sun Sentinel,Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 8th, 1997.