Obituary: Stevens, Warren Clifford “Steve”
Age 92
He was 90 years old.
Steve was born February 14th, 1925 in Payette, Idaho.
He was the only son and middle child of Warren and Julia Stevens.
Steve grew up during the great depression in the rural country side of the Oregon slope, situated on the Snake River, near Ontario, Oregon.
It was in this serene setting that he developed a love of the outdoors.
Becoming an avid hunter and fisherman.
Following High School, he enrolled at Oregon State College, in the Engineering program.
World War II, would interrupt his educational plans however, after just one term.
Steve enlisted in the US Navy, and on September 14th, 1943 he would marry his sweetheart, Wilma Fayette Fitch, before deploying for the Pacific.
He served as a Quartermaster with Pacific Amphibious forces, for the remainder of the War.
After the War, Steve transferred in grade to the US Army and was assigned to the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade.
When the Korean War broke out, this was the first unit that General Douglas McArthur would request for special duty.
Following Steve’s active duty military career, he begin his career in civil engineering with the US Bureau of Reclamation.
He retired from the Bureau in 1975 after more than 31 years in Federal service.
This would not however, be a passive retirement.
After giving his life to Jesus Christ in 1974, Steve and Wilma began their great adventure in foreign missions.
Steve had spent some time in the mid 70s working as a consultant on a dam building project in Indonesia.
It was during this time that he knew God was calling him to return, with his wife to serve the Indonesian people as a representative of the Gospel.
Steve and Wilma joined New Tribes Mission in 1979 and following bible school and language training would spend the better part of the next decade in Indonesia.
First on West Kalimantan and later in Jakarta.
This would prove to be one of the most fulfilling periods of Steve’s life.
Even though they officially left the mission field in 1989, Steve never stopped preaching the Gospel.
He would faithfully serve his Lord, even until his final breath.
Steve was buried with full military honors on May 1st, 2015 at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, in Medical Lake, Washington.
Steve was preceded in death by both of his parents, siblings Betty and Joanne, son-in-law, Mac and grandson, Willie.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Wilma.
Four children; Roger, Susie, Ken (Peggy) and Rick (Nanette).
Six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Steve has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13th, 2015 at North Addison Baptist Church, 6120 N. Addison St., Spokane.
Beginning at 1:00 pm.
All are welcome.
To view Steve’s online tribute, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.