DERBY: William J. Stevens, age 83, entered eternal rest on October 28, 2026, at Griffin Hospital in Derby. He was the beloved husband of the late Sylvia (Leschensky) Stevens.
Born in Hartford, CT, on October 8, 1943, he was the son of the late William T. and Roberta “Molly” (Sherman) Stevens. William was a resident of New Britain before moving to Derby for the past forty years. He was employed as a meter reader for Connecticut Natural Gas/Yankee Gas until his retirement. A proud veteran, he honorably served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era. William was a member of the Pyramid Shriners Pipes and Drums Band, where he served as drum major Emeritus. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge Unity #148 AF & A.M. in New Britain, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Springfield, MA and was a Nobles of Pyramid Temple AAONMS (Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine). William was a lifelong drummer who played in local county bands for many years. He enjoyed camping trips and horseback riding with his family and he was always up for a good jigsaw puzzle.
William leaves to cherish his memory, daughters, Cheryl Drouin of Spring Hill, FL, Shannon Barry-Kobialka (Stanley) of West Hartford, step-daughters, Theresa Reinwald (Bob) of Branford and Elizabeth Ouellette of Seymour, step-son, Richard Mezzapelle (Jennifer) of Derby, grandchildren, Mairead Johnson (Kyler) of Berlin, Shaela Barry of Waterford, Jessica Drouin of Tampa, FL, Ashleigh Kobialka of Boston, MA, Joseph Kobialka of Springfield, MA, Sean Kobialka of West Hartford, step-grandchildren, Daniel Reinwald (Kim) of North Branford, Amber Reinwald of Waterford, Tyler Ouellette of Seymour, Alyssa Geyer of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Kendal Tepp (Anthony) of Port St. Lucie, FL, Brian Mezzapelle (Stacey) of Derby, Jennifer Mezzapelle of PA and Bryce Cotter of Derby, step-great-grandchildren, Aiden and Ryder Geyer, Lily Mezzapelle, Gemma and Ben Reinwald and Alton and Lilah Tepp, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his step-daughter, Christine Palmer and his sister, Roberta Harris.
William’s funeral service and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia has been privileged with the arrangements. Contributions in William’s memory may be made directly to the Shriners Children’s at www.chrinerschildrens.org. To sign William’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit, www.spinelliricciutifh.com.