William A. Stebner

TRAVERSE CITY – William "Bill" Allen Stebner, 66, died on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at home with family present.
Bill is a lifelong Traverse City resident with his youngest years of summer spent with family at his grandmothers (Flora Stebner) fishing resort, Sportsman's Paradise (now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore) making memories born from childhood adventures, mischief, and sun-up to sun-down discovering the joys of nature, and his fair share of chores.

Bill attended Traverse City High School, where he was an honor roll student and a drummer in the marching band. Bill was an avid skier, windsurfer, and loved music. He earned his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with his master's degree in social work from Michigan State University, while working full-time and beginning a family.
Bill helped countless people at Munson Hospital negotiate their needs as they transitioned through the healthcare system. Bill worked with those most vulnerable individuals and families for 38 years. Before Bill had the chance to retire, he was hit with a ruptured brain aneurysm five years ago. Determined to recover, Bill regained his speech, manual dexterity, drove a car, laughed and navigated through life again. The beginning of this year Bill began a new battle. This gentle man, whose career was one of picking people up and helping them to balance the consequences of life was unable to counter his own failing body.

Remember Bill as always having the ability to see the lighter side of all that came at him, his sense of humor, a welcome balm, and that sweet Bill's chuckle. Those who've been fortunate enough to hear it will not forget Bill.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Marie Stebner (Baehr) his father, Allen Charles Stebner, his former wife, Debra Michelle Covell, grandparents; Flora (Rudolph) Gladys Stebner (Lader), William (Marie) Howard Baehr, and his uncle, William Kenneth Martin.
Bill is survived by his life partner, Melanie Teresa Ackerman, his two sons; Thomas (Patrice) William Stebner, Kenneth Craig Stebner, granddaughter, Debra Madison Stebner, his brother James (Suzanne) Dennis Stebner, his sisters, Linda (Richard) Kenny and Carol (David) Mikowski, his nephews; Samuel Allen Stebner, and Jack Dennis Stebner, his aunt Noreen Faye Stebner, and his cousins; Kermit (Debbe) Vermillion Douse, Kathy (Paul) Grace Bellmore, Judi (Bill) Lee Jopling, and Trisha Ann Martin.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Saturday, June 27, 2020. A celebration of Bill's life will take place at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be directed to either; Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, 105 Hall Street, Suite A, Traverse City, MI 49684 or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington DC 20090-8018.