William “Bill” Stevens, 89, of Centerview, Missouri, died Monday, Nov. 9, at John Knox Village Hospice in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

He was born in Absaraka, North Dakota, and moved to the Kansas City area as a young boy, graduating from Northeast High School in 1944. Following graduation, he joined the Department of Agriculture where he worked in the Farm Credit Administration during and following WWII in Kansas City and Washington, D.C. Returning to Missouri, he received an undergraduate degree at the University of Central Missouri, then a master’s and doctoral degree at UMKC. His 55-year career took him to various public school locations in Missouri as a high school teacher, secondary school principal and districtwide coordinator of social studies. He concluded his work as an educator with 16 years at UMKC.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lee’s Summit and the Northeast High School Alumni Association.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Billy Jean (Halley); son, Alan Stevens; daughters, Pam (Chuck) Lundquist and Valerie McCoy; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg with the Rev. Sid Tiller of Northside Christian Church officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.