Richard Stephens

My Life Story Richard "Dick" C. Stephens, 92, was born September 17, 1924 and died peacefully at home on July 25, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty; his children: Susann (Herb) Wescott, Jane (Kim) Brandt, Pat Stephens, Mary Benner; six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Freda Stephens, and his only brother, Donald Stephens. Dick was born at home on the family farm near Chappell, Nebraska. While he lived the majority of his life in Idaho, he loved his Nebraska beginnings and was a Corn Husker fan to the end. Go Big Red! Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 during his senior year of high school, and had to have parental permission to join. He missed his high school graduation to start his training to become a B-17 pilot. He married Betty Grimmett, in Rapid City, South Dakota on November 10, 1944, where he was stationed while preparing to go overseas. He flew bombing missions in Germany during the war, and as the war was coming to an end, the crew flew Humanitarian food drops to the people in Holland and transported French Prisoners of War back to their homeland. Upon completion of his service, Dick, Betty, and daughter, lived in Denver where Dick worked for Montgomery Ward. As he learned the retail business, he began to look for a job in the west where his parents had relocated. They moved to Gooding, Idaho, and Dick worked six years with the C.C. Anderson Company and the Merc. They moved to Hailey with their three daughters so that Dick could take over the management of the Wood River Merc. Dick and Betty loved the beauty of the Wood River Valley, had their 4th daughter, and made so many lifelong friends that they were happy to stay for 48 years. Both were very active in their community and enjoyed spending time with family and friends whether it was attending a school activity that involved their children, picnics at Red Fish Lake, golfing, playing Bridge or a rousing game of Yahtzee. They joined the Community Baptist Church and Dick was on the Board of Trustees for the church until they moved to Meridian. People in Hailey remember Dick for his smiling face, his whistling, which he did wherever he went, and his announcement of the start of summer by replacing his winter gear with shorts. Dick and Betty made their home in Meridian in 1998 and loved being closer to their daughters, grandchildren, and brother who lived in Weiser. They joined the Methodist Church in Meridian shortly after arriving and were always so glad to have such a warm and caring church family as well. Dick loved his family and did everything he could to make sure that everyone was doing well, including giving a lot of advice, that he offered in the nicest way, whether you wanted it or not! We are all going to miss him, and his “advice” for the rest of our lives. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Meridian United Methodist Church of the Warm Heart, 240 E. Idaho Ave., Meridian. Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Richard's name to the Meridian United Methodist Church at 235 E. Pine Ave, Meridian, ID 83642, The Salvation Army at 4308 W. State St, Boise, ID 83703 or the Warhawk Air Museum at 201 Municipal Way, Nampa, ID 83687. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.