William “Bill” Louis Stephens, Jr., age 64, of Hackettstown died Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center of Hackettstown, N.J.. William was born August 14, 1958 in Philadelphia, PA. He is the son of late William L. and Louise (Jackson) Stephens, Sr..

He was the only son and youngest of three children. He was a smart and outgoing child that excelled academically. He was a insatiable reader and loved to challenge and share the wisdom he gained from whatever he read, be the encyclopedia or newspaper. He enjoyed classic rap and old school R&B music. Throughout the decades and had impeccable style-even through you’d often catch him in Black Power sports attire with a facetious hat.

Bill was educated in the Philadelphia Public school system and graduated from Franklin Learning Center in 1975 as Class Valedictorian. After graduating high school, he received a scholarship to Lincoln University in Chester, PA. Lincoln University introduced him to the Gamma Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc. to which he later pledged. Bill thirst for knowledge and spirituality guided him to follow the path of a Doctorate in Divinity which he received in 2020.

In February 2005, Bill met and fell in love with Roxanne Ramnarine, whom he married on January 10, 2011. Bill married Roxanne with the hopes of enjoying a long and happy life together and recently celebrated their 13^th wedding anniversary.

Bill worked as a correction officer for ten years, followed by another ten years as a State Trooper for the State of Pennsylvania, he later worked with Amtrak for twenty years before retiring in October of 2021.

On January 31, 2023, Bill was called home shortly after a cancer diagnosis. He will be deeply missed by his wife: Roxanne Ramnarine Stephens, His mother: Louise Stephens, Two sisters: Athena “Tina” Henderson (Stephens) and Debra Stephens, daughter: Tonya Alexia Stephens, son: William “Will” Stephens, III, grandson: Tavi Grazier, stepdaughter: Rochelle Ramnarine, three step-children: Raheem Salley, Shannon Salley and Savannah Salley, brother-in-law: Herbert Grant, Marlon Wilson and Rainer Ramnarine, sister-in-law: Marlene Grant and Hanelle Ramnarine. Godchildren: Shannon Smith and Jazmane Jenkins, a host of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, his loyal friends: Arthur Tribble, Gary Dixon and an army of close friends.

Although we knew Bill is at peace without pain or worries, he will be sorely missed. His absence has left a huge void in the hearts of many. We know he will be watching over and protecting us. Bill was a giant and may he “Fly High in the Sky Like a Bird”  “FLY MY BIRD FLY”

Calling hours will be Saturday, February 4 from 2-5 pm at Cochran Funeral Home, Inc., 905 High Street, Hackettstown, N.J., with a memorial service starting at 3:30 pm.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home. For those wishing to leave online condolences, please visit www.cochranfuneral.com.