Billy A. Stephens

Funeral services for Billy A. Stephens, 78, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Doc Lazarine officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Union Cemetery.

Mr. Stephens was born March 11, 1934 in Angelina County, Texas to the late Clyde and Lena (Hilliard) Stephens, and died Monday, September 3, 2012 in a local hospital.

Mr. Stephens was a lifetime resident of Lufkin. He was a firefighter and Fire Chief with the Lufkin Fire Department for 33 years, and was also the retired owner of Stephens Fire and Safety, which he opened in 1959. Mr. Stephens was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669 A.F. & A.M. He was the oldest deacon at Harvest Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Shirley Stephens of Lufkin; daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda and Scott Owens of Gladewater and Ginger and Steve McCasland of Livingston; grandchildren, Daniel Gaudet and wife Candice, Ginny Gaudet, Trish Aga, Chris and Chastine Owens, Kristy Owens, Annie and Danny Harris, Clay and Kelly Owens; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Laverne and Reverend Marshall Jackson and Laura Renfro, all of Lufkin; sister-in-law, Ruth Stephens of Tenaha; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Stephens was preceded in death by his grandson, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2, Bradley Gaudet, killed in action June 5, 2011 in Afghanistan.

Pallbearers will be firemen from the Lufkin Fire Department.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.