08/29/06

Bill Stevenson

Memorial Services for William Richard Stevenson (Bill) will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 11:30 a.m., in the Remembrance Chapel at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville, SC. Friends will be greeted by the family at 11 a.m. at the Remembrance Chapel. The service will be conducted by Reverend Carlisle Lewis of Lancaster, SC and music by Laura Hunt of Columbia, SC.

He was born on June 3, 1928 in Pembroke, Ky. Bill went to be with his Savior on August 27, 2006 at Carroll Campbell Place. While residing in Columbia, Bill attended Columbia Evangelical Church. A graduate of Greenville High, Bill attended Clemson University before entering into a career in the family business, Stevenson Brothers Furniture Company. He was a sportsman extraordinaire and began tournament water skiing competitions in the mid-50's, having trained and skied with Cypress Gardens. During his water skiing career, Bill was Southern Regionals Overall 7 times, National Overall Champion in 1966, '68 and '70, and a member of the 1957 World Water Ski Team representing the United States. After retiring from the competitive skiing, Bill became a tournament boat driver, compiling and amazing record of 27 Southern Regionals, 15 Nationals, 10 Masters and 3 World Tournaments. He also worked closely with the Collegiate Water Ski Teams, and as an official with the American Water Ski Association. Bill earned his pilot's wings and enjoyed flying his Cessna.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Richard Cooper Stevenson and Mary Payne Stevenson. A loving father and friend, his survivors are daughter Marianne Parker and husband, Ron, of Columbia, SC; daughter Lynn Smith and husband, Gerry, of Greensboro, NC; son, William Richard Stevenson Jr., and wife, Allison, of Greenville, SC; grandchildren, Cooper Douglas, Emery Elizabeth and Peyton Anne of Greenville, SC; a sister, Bobbie Fairbanks, and husband, Richmond, of Greenville, SC.

We are encouraged that Bill is at peace and enjoying the comfort and companionship of his Savior. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc., P.O. Box 451429, Atlanta, GA.

Condolences may be sent to www.mem.com.

The family has entrusted Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 with the arrangements.

Greenlawn Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia.
www.dignitymemorial.com (803) 776-1092

From Jim Jaquess

From one of the best Sr Drivers in the Southern Region

The first time that I met Bill was in June of 1976 when he flew  over Youngs Pond in Angier, N.C.  I was driving the tournament.   When he arrived, Jerry Hargis asked me to get out of the boat and  let Bill drive the tournament.  After the tournament was over,  Bill talked to me about my driving.  From then on, we would see  each other at different tournaments and he would give me tips on  my driving.  He was very hard on me which in turn made me a  better driver.  What I liked about Bill was that he could turn a  tournament around as far as performances of the skiers.  He could  bring out your best buoy count.  I really liked his style of  being very sure of himself and having confidence in himself.  He  was cocky, but not arrogant.  He always had a happy smile and he  was excited to be around at tournaments.  I knew he was the best  driver, but I did not know until now all the skiing titles he had won.  He was THE DRIVER.  I always wanted to be just like him. 

He was my HERO.
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William Richard Stevenson (Bill)

Columbia, SC
 

08/28/06

Bill Stevenson Dies at 78

Bill Stevenson passed away early Sunday morning August 27th from natural causes related to his ongoing battle with Alzheimer's disease.  Bill had been for so many years a great advocate and contributor to the sport of water skiing.  Bill was a three time National Champion, as well as a tireless official that donated his time many weekends every year.  Bill was the chief driver at 6 Southern Regional tournaments, 2 National tournaments, and 3 Collegiate Nationals.  He also drove 9 Masters tournaments, 6 US Open tournaments, 2 Team Trials, The 1987 World Championships, a Junior Worlds, a Senior Worlds, and the first Collegiate Worlds.

Bill was a competitor in the first Master's Tournament. Bill also was an alternate on the 1957 World team.  He won 3 National Overall titles and considered Tommy Wycoff his greatest rival.  Even with all of his successes, he was always eager to coach, drive or just lend advice to anyone that had a desire to learn.  Bill served on the southern Region Council, too many times to count and served on the nationals site search committee.

Bill also loved to fly! He owned his own plane for many years and loved to fly to tournaments that otherwise he would not be able to travel to.  In later years as a Mastercraft Promo owner he was always towing a boat somewhere and didn't get the opportunity to fly as often.  He finally quit flying in the early 90's.

Bill always was positive and high on life.  He always would give you a big smile and a warm hello!  He will be missed by many.

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The Southern Region and the entire water ski community lost a true ambassador for the sport of water skiing with the passing of Bill Stevenson yesterday.  He accomplished many things during his lifelong commitment to the sport he loved so much.  He was an outstanding athlete and a great driver...and had a passion for the sport all through his life.  Bill will be remembered by many for his world class accomplishments...but he will be remembered by my family as a true friend, dedicated driver, instructor, and promoter of our sport at all levels....juniors, collegiate, regional, national, and world class athletes.....he was a part of it all.

I served as Boat Judge with Bill many times...including the Collegiate Nationals at Lake Walmead in Georgia... and I was amazed at how close to actual he good drive pass after pass and without the help of speed control.

Not only would Bill drive the high profile tournaments, but he would go just about anywhere in the region pulling that MasterCraft promo boat.

I can remember running into Bill at McDonald's the morning before a lot of tournaments....and he would always ask my girls how they were skiing, how they were going to ski that day....and genuinely was interested in their accomplishments.

Bill drove Regina in her first tournament when she was five years old...at Lake Martin near Gray, South Carolina.....she was so excited taking second place in tricks....and Bill made it just that more exciting for this little kid....he knew what to say to make a kid smile! 

It is tragic that his live ended so soon and he was taken from us by one of the most dreaded of all diseases, Alzheimer's......but he will live in on our memories, especially to us in the Southern Region. 

A true Hall of Famer...no doubt...just a matter of time. 

Jim Jaquess
USA Water Ski National Director