Orville Archie Stephenson lll

December 11, 1951  ~  September 4, 2017

Orville "Stevie" Archie Stephenson was born in Alhambra, California; His family moved to Bakersfield before his first grade year; he attended Castro Lane elementary, Curran Jr. High, West High School, and Bakersfield Jr. College. At all of these schools he was interested in music; He was active in the school Orchestra, Marching band and Jazz band playing tenor sax at Curran Jr High and West High. He was also on the West High track team. Following high school graduation he attended B.C. where he decided to pursue a musical career; He then transferred to Cal State University Northridge where he earned his BA and teaching credential in music. He then moved back to Bakersfield, where he married Leslie Bingham a 1969 graduate of West High; he played in several Blues Bands during this time; he also worked as a customer service rep for a large industrial and agriculture pump company. 26 years ago he moved his family to Fresno and continued to work as a rep in another pump company. While there he played in the Fresno Community Concert Band. Eventually Orville got the calling to go back into teaching; he earned his ESL credential and for the past 11 years was a teaching children Music and English as a second language at the K-8 education level for Fresno County.

He passed away on Monday September 4, 2017 in Fresno at the age of 65; preceded  in death by his mother EvaLee, Orville is survived by his father Orville Archie Stephenson Jr. his beloved wife of nearly 40 years Leslie Stephenson; sons Nathaniel (Sarah); Daniel (Melissa); two grandchildren, his brothers Randy and Corey and their families

Throughout his life Orvillie loved music in all forms as a teacher, participant and as a listener. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed by his loved ones and those who knew him.

Source: Les Hershberger