Orval Wayne "Bo" Stephens 1936-2007

Orval Wayne "Bo" Stephens, son of the late Jesse Edward and Jimmie (Neeley) Stephens, was born June 11, 1936 in DeQueen, Arkansas. As a young boy, Bo and his family moved to California and he graduated from Torrance High School in Torrance, California.

On March 13, 1954, Bo was united in marriage to Jacqueline Dayle Urbas in Ensenada, Mexico. They were blessed with three sons: Jeffry, Jayme and Joseph. Bo and Jacque shared over 50 wonderful years of marriage together before she preceded him in death on June 29, 2004.

At the age of 18, Bo went to work for the Postal Services as a letter carrier in Torrance. He worked there for 25 years and in 1978 he and his family moved to Richland, Missouri. Bo and Jacque owned and operated Jacques Café for several years. Bo was also the manager of Customer Service for the Postal Services and also did work for the boat factory. He also owned Gateway Shoe Repair.

In his spare time, Bo was very good at woodworking and enjoyed making furniture. He was an avid collector of Singer Featherlight sewing machines. Bo loved horses, operating his HAMM radio and visiting with friends and family. Every time anyone saw Bo, he was usually whistling. He had a special companion named Punkin, a Yorkie dog. Bo was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and attended whenever he was able.

Bo passed away the evening of Monday, November 12, 2007 in the Cox South Hospital of Springfield, MO having attained the age of 71 years.

Bo will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by his three sons: Jeffry Stephens of Richland, MO, Jayme Lane Stephens and his wife Shannon of Richland, MO, Joseph Stephens and his wife Sherri of Stoutland, MO; three sisters: Billie Davis of Spokane, WA, Eva Clarice Peeler of Columbia Falls, MT and Judy Roberts of Casper, WY; eleven grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bo was preceded in death by three sisters: Evelyn Joyce Johnson, Alma Faye Scott and Norma Lee Latimer.

A Vigil service was held at 7:30 P.M. Thursday, November 15, 2007 in the Richland Memorial Chapel with Father John Groner officiating.

Funeral mass was held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 16, 2007 in the Richland Memorial Chapel with Father John Groner officiating. Bo's favorite songs "Remember When", "These Hands Aren't The Hands Of A Gentleman" were played as well as "Silver Wings" which was especially recorded by Bo's son Jeffry. Serving as escorts were Jeffry W. Stephens, Jayme L. Stephens, Joseph B. Stephens, Jayson L. Stephens, Pete McCallister and Matt R. Mills. Kenneth Urbas and Nicholas Wenzel served as honorary escorts. Services were under the direction of Richland Memorial Chapel.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery, Waynesville, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Orval Wayne "Bo" Stephens to the Barnes Jewish Hospital Cancer Research and can be left at the funeral home.