William M. STEPHENSON, died at his home in the southwest part of the city at 5:30 o'clock last night after a short illness in the 56th year of his age.

Diseased, in January, 1893, while an engineer at the Mt. Vernon Mills was stricken with paralysis from which he never fully recovered, although able to walk about town he was compelled to relinquish all business.

Mr. STEPHENSON was an excellent mechanical engineer being a thorough master of his calling and before settling down in Mt. Vernon was engineer for many years at the Egypt mills at Ashley, which position be resigned for a locomotive on the L. & N. railroad.

He remained with the L. & N. for a long time and finally entered the employ of the Mt. Vernon Milling Co., with whom he continued for five years when he was rendered unfit for the duties of the position by an attack of paralysis that threatened to end his life and left him at the end of a long illness greatly weakened, mentally and physically.

He was again stricken last Sunday and for forty-eight hours previous to his dath had been in a blind and comatose condition, unconscious alike to sight and feeling.

He leaves a widow and four children, three sons and one daughter to mourn his departure for the better land.

Deceased was a very devout Christian and during the later years of his life preferred religious topices above all others as subjects of conversation and his devotion to his church commanded univeral respect with all who came in contact with him.

The funeral services were held at the First M.E. church at a 3 o'clock this afternoon. the interment will be at Ashley. The funeral party left for the lattr place on the west bound train at 4:15 this afternoon.

Source: Mt. Vernon Daily Register
Date: July 31, 1895
Submitted by: Carmen Oslager - Dec 1, 1997