Roy Allen Stephens, a devoted husband, father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, peacefully passed away on Aug. 19, 2024, at the age of 90 after a prolonged illness.
Born on July 2, 1934, in Firdale, Roy proudly served as an Army veteran and dedicated 42 years of his life working as a Longshoreman. After retiring in 1996, he relished spending more time with family and pursuing his passions. Roy was a tireless worker, often found in his shop cutting, hammering, building, and tinkering. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren, attending their ballgames, and nurturing his spectacular summer garden. His pride in his garden was evident in every meal, always boasting that it was “right out of the garden.” His berries — particularly blackberries and raspberries, were legendary, and he took immense joy in sharing them with friends and family.
The grandchildren fondly remember their visits to Gramma and Grampa’s house, where they enjoyed camping in the woods, helping in the garden, and building dams in the creek. They especially cherished the unique pancakes made with their initials and cooked to perfection. One of Roy’s greatest passions was woodworking. He crafted many award-winning items, including grandfather clocks and beautifully mounted antlers, creating lasting memories for future generations.
Roy was a fanatical outdoorsman, it was in his DNA, a true man’s man, one-of-one, who was always most at home with a fishing pole, hunting rifle, ax, or power saw in his hands. He was an exceptional fisherman, Steelhead was his passion, and he caught many over the years. He spent many hours in the woods finding the perfect log to cut for firewood, deer and elk to hunt, and bark trees to peel, all while teaching the kids how to drive at a way too early age as they were often part of the adventures on the logging roads around the Willapa Hills. His favorite though, were the infamous hikes in the Olympic mountains that he went on every summer with his kids, cousins, grandkids, and friends. Late night fish cooked over an open fire and his early morning breakfasts were extraordinary and remembered by all lucky enough to experience it.
Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn; his brother Irvin Stephens; and sisters Deannie Stephens and Carrie Cummings. He is survived by his two children, Ava Robinson (husband Gary) and Wayde Stephens (wife Diane); his sister Trudy Heggem; five grandchildren, Kalen and Kyle Robinson, Tait, Sara, and Grace Stephens; and two great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Jasper Robinson.
Graveside services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 12 p.m. at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo. A reception will follow at the Willapa United Methodist Church in Old Willapa.
