Paw Paw - Willie Stevens

WILLIAM “WILLIE” LESTER STEVENS (6/6/1901 Sandersville, Jones Cty, MS -10/29/1983 Hattiesburg, MS) son of John William Stevens and Frances “Fannie” Elizabeth Dewitt. He had one son, Charles and one daughter, Bettie (born Betty) Jean with Letha Modean Schilling between 1927 and 1930. He died Oct. 29, 1983, in Hattiesburg, MS, at age 82. Willie was a hardworking Engine Switchman for the Illinois Central Railroad. The train track ran right next to their house at 815 Rebecca Ave, Hattiesburg, MS and when his grandkids & great nieces & nephew heard the train a'comin', they'd all run out to the street (dead-end) and wave at PawPaw as he rode by. He'd blow the train's loud horn for them and they'd all laugh. He was known as "Uncle Willie" to his Pittman/Everett/Baxter relatives, who lived next door. Recollections from William’s grandson, George Wm. Robertson: "My grandfather only finished the 6th grade when he became the breadwinner at 12. In his job, he used an ox & wagon for the railroad in 1916. He worked for the I.C. railroad 47 years & only missed 3 days of work his entire career." The 1920 Census also lists him working as a sawmill laborer. William was a short, small man in physique but oh, his heart was huge. A living example of Christian love, he was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg. Because of his great caring for others, he often went to the nearby Hulett’s Funeral Home to comfort people in their mourning. He'd always pull his elbows in to his hips to hike up his pants (ha!) and he smelled of Old Spice aftershave. He had a weather beaten red complexion and the most fabulous wavy white hair, which according to others, turned white when he was only 21. He used to take us grandkids to Kamper Park and on the way, we'd pick up day-old bread from the Sunshine Bakery and feed the swans and duckies on the lake there. He was a sensitive soul and always cried when his grandchildren left to return to Chicago or Baton Rouge - for fear he'd never see them again. He was soooo sweet and kind and was loved by everyone.