Howard W. Stephens, age 82, of Arlington, Texas, formerly of Washington, Illinois, passed away October 23, 2012, in Arlington. Howard was born May 24, 1930, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Warren and Wilda (Ayers) Stephens. He attended Carl Sandburg University in Galesburg. Howard married Mildred Martin on December 28, 1961, in Galesburg. He retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company, where he worked as a tool designer, after thirty-two years. Howard was an eagle scout and a member of the American Legion. Howard proudly served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. He owned Stephens Coin and Stamp Supplies in Washington, Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Mildred Stephens of Arlington, Texas; son, Jerry Martin and wife, Becky, also of Arlington; grandson, Chris Martin of Longview, Texas; granddaughter, Michelle Martin Freeman and husband, Ladd of Daingerfield, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Miranda, Samantha, Taylor, Alex, and Christian.
He was preceded in death by his step-father, Walter Ayers, mother, Wilda Ayers, and son, George E. Martin.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2012, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to service at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.