Wilbur Richard "BUZZ" Stephenson

He was born on March 4, 1923 in Midland Michigan to Wilbur T. and Lena (Carl) Stephenson. He served in the US Army. He married the former Betty L. Heckerthorn on June 17, 1944. She preceded him in death in 1990. He attended Parks Air College in St.Louis, Missouri, obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering, and became a licensed pilot in 1944. As an avid pilot Buzz built 3 experimental aircrafts. He was an award-winning home builder/wood worker. Buzz had been coming to the Grayling area since 1923. He worked at Dow Chemical for 30 years at Midland & Ludington, Michigan and Findlay, Ohio. He moved to the Grayling area after retiring from the Ludington plant in 1978. He married Loraine Gearhart on Sept 12, 1992 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Grayling. He is survived by his wife Lori . Son: James Jamie' Richard (Jacolyn) Stephenson of Findlay, Ohio Daughters: Sandra Lou Stephenson of Dawsonville, Georgia Sally Lyn (Steven) Siferd of Findlay, Ohio 9 Grandchildren and 3 Great grandchildren Brother: Edward (Frances) of Midland, Michigan Upon marrying Lori, they added family members Roxanne, Rodny, Ronda, Leanne, & Michael as well as 17 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He also left many special friends in 3 EAA Chapters, especially EAA Chapter 1259 in Houghton Lake. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty of 47 years, a daughter Susan Lee Lafferty, and son-in-law John Lafferty. Visitation will be held at Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home on Tuesday August 7, 2007 between 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday August 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Elizabeth Chace officiating. Condolences may be sent to www.sorensonlockwood.com Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan 128 N. Court St. Gaylord, MI 49735 or AuSable Urgent Care Clinic PO Box 393 Grayling, Michigan 49738 Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Wilbur Richard "BUZZ" Stephenson, please visit our flower store.