Byfield – William “Bill” Stevens died on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 after a very brief illness. He was 85 years old.
Bill was born in Pittsfield, MA on May 26, 1936 to the late Inez and Harry Morrison, and was the youngest of their three children. He spent his entire childhood in Pittsfield and later attended Cornell University.
To say that Bill was extraordinarily mechanical might be an understatement. After college he embarked on a 65-year career in tool and die making. He got his start in the General Electric Apprentice Program in Pittsfield later opening his own business – Stevens Machine and Tool Company – in the basement of his home in Byfield. Once Stevens Machine outgrew the basement, Bill moved the company to Newburyport, Rowley, and then back to Newburyport until he sold it in the early 2000’s. Bill also owned a small shop in Portland, Maine called The Maine Tool Shop which he ran until his death.
Bill met his wife Debby Green 57 years ago at the Old South Church while singing in the Choir. Once married, they lived in Winthrop, and then moved to the North Shore where they raised their four children, Sue, Greg, Jeff, and Kathy.
Bill loved his home. Perhaps first and foremost, he loved living on the Parker River where the view and associated solitude gave him great peace. Each Summer, Bill put a dock out onto the river from which he, his family, and family friends would swim and go boating. He spent lots of time in his yard and in his greenhouse growing vegetables and plants – a passion he shared with Kathy – and was equally as committed to feeding all of the birds who lived in and visited their yard. Bill was a fierce protector of the bird and his gardens, forever determined to keep “the critters” away by deploying his creative engineering skills in the construction of elaborate barriers and other deterrents. Woodchucks and squirrels often left frustrated and hungry as they were no match for Bill’s ingenuity and determination.
Bill was forever curious, interested, and optimistic. He read whatever he could get his hands on and was often the most informed during conversations about any subject. Bill was a good mix of someone with strongly held convictions and an intent listener. As such, many of his opinions and beliefs took shape and developed nuance over time.
Bill and Debby were two halves of a whole who were committed to supporting both their families and one another. They loved following the Boston sports teams – particularly the Patriots – discussing current events and were happy just being together.
His family will miss him terribly. In addition to his beloved Debby, Bill leaves his children Sue, Greg (Stephanie), Jeff (Annie), and Kathy Stevens, and his three grandchildren, Sophia, Brody, and Spencer. He leaves his oldest sister, Carolyn Moore, and her kids Lyndon (Joan) Moore, Stephen (Colleen) Moore, Carol (Cortney) Shipp, and Donna Moore, and his brother-in-law, John Davidson and his kids Mark Davidson, Kevin (Camille) Jobst-Davidsson, Jonathan (Patty) Davidson, and Karen (Jay) Ferrier. He was predeceased by his sister, Ann (John) Davidson, his brother-in-law, Don (Carolyn) Moore, and his cousin and great friend, David “Dave” Stevens.
The family has decided not to hold services at this time. Despite Bill’s love of gardening the family asks that in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to Essex County Greenbelt through ecga.org.