The PGR has been invited to attend the funeral and military honors of BTFN William Robert Edward Stephens, Veteran, US Navy. It will be our honor to do so.
William served in the US Navy, from 4/2/1962 to 4/2/1965, achieving the rank of BTFN (Boiler Tender Fireman), E3. He was inducted in Long Beach, CA, and was subsequently assigned to the USS Rowan DD 782 stationed in San Diego. After a short stint there, he was transferred to the USS Jenkins DD 447 in Pearl Harbor. One of his favorite stories is of his experiences patrolling Johnson Island while they detonated the nuclear bombs. During his service, William earned the National Defense Service Ribbon.
William was part of a family full of military service members. His brother served in the Korean War, and tragically died as a POW there. His father was a WWII Purple Heart recipient, who passed away during William's service in the Navy. Because of the loss of his brother and father, he was honorably discharged under the military's Sole Survivor Policy. Later on, one of his sons also served almost 30 years, doing multiple tours in Iraq. William was extremely proud of his family's history of service.
William was an old car nut, and loved Elvis. He was a passionate patriot and loved his country, and most of all his family and friends.
William was born August 17th, 1943, and was 79 years old at the time of his passing. He died of cardiac arrest from congestive heart failure, although he had been in hospice for three years. He was at home surrounded by his loved ones when he departed. He is survived by his 5 children, daughters Tammy and Melissa, his sons Bill, James and Sean, and his 14 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, in 2005.
William's mother passed away when he was nine years old. He will be buried alongside her at Rose Hills in the Old Garden.
Services will be January 7th at Rose Hills Cemetery, beginning at 1300.
It will be a graveside service, including Military Honors, with reception to follow at VFW, Moreno Valley 22616. The PGR has been invited to the reception, although this will not be part of the mission.
We will meet at Gate one, and lead the family procession to the burial site. We will form a flag line for the dignified transfer of remains to the graveside.
Note: Family will be arriving with the Urn in the Family car.
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there, by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
NOTE: PLEASE OBSERVE ALL COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS, HAVE MASK/FACE COVERING AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
Time Table for Saturday, 07 JAN 2312:00 - Gather at Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601, Gate 1. (
https://goo.gl/maps/ZuWEP9DLDtFo8Xwa9)
12:15 - Mission briefing
12:30 - Stand by for arrival of family
12:45 - Proceed with family to burial site
13:00 - Service begins with Honors
13:30 - PGR dismissed
NOTE: At this time, the weather forecast on Saturday is 65 degrees, mostly cloudy, with a 4% chance of rain. Please dress accordingly.
Please feel free to contact me for any other info:
Lester Forsythe (Rottndog)
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
MM2/SS (Submarines), US Navy
pgrrottndog@gmail.com
714-743-3574
"Freedom IS NOT FREE...we can never forget those that have paid its' highest price."
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
