William (Bill) Robert Stevenson, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026 at age 78 surrounded by his family after a sudden decline from a recently diagnosed brain tumor.

He was born on December 18,1947 to William Robert Stevenson and Margaret Roys Stevenson in Jacksonville, Florida. His family lived in Norman, Oklahoma, Twinsburg, Ohio and Tryon, North Carolina during his childhood.

The legacy Bill leaves behind is one of gentleness, kindness, and contentment. His was a life of caregiving motivated by his strong faith. He deeply loved and tenderly cared for the people in his family—his wife of forty-nine years, Rosemary, son Clark, daughter Rachael and son-in-law Aaron, and grandchildren Ruby and Elm.

He nurtured those he loved by offering support without ever forcing it: a book he thought you'd enjoy, an introduction to someone you might connect with, vitamins when you were sick, encouragement to rest, a meal he had prepared, charging your phone, taking your car in for a checkup, or sitting down for a serious conversation about whatever was on your mind. He shared stories from his own life—often humorous or self-deprecating—that helped others feel understood. He was often found playing catch, helping with a golf swing, or planning a vacation he believed his family would love.

His caring nature extended to his students at Calvin College where he taught Political Science for 22 years. He kept in touch with quite a few former students after his retirement and continued to suggest career or graduate school opportunities or a possible connection

with people he knew in their vicinity. He liked to put people together who could help each other in their job or educational searches. He knew his students' names, hometowns, interests, and accomplishments long after they'd left Calvin.

Bill's own educational journey was anything but straightforward. All told, he dropped out of high school twice and undergraduate school once. Then went on to acquire two undergraduate degrees (the University of North Carolina at Chapel in English and the University of Massachusetts at Boston in Politics), an MA in political science and Philosophy (East Carolina University at Greenville) and a PhD in Government (University of Virginia). This long and circuitous path led him to his ideal teaching job at Calvin College which he loved, and endowed him with an understanding that he shared with his students as a way of affirming their searches and calming their anxieties.

He was also a respected scholar and authored two books, Christian Love and Just War published by Mercer University Press and Sovereign Grace published by Oxford University Press.

He was a member of Calvin Church for the 37 years he lived in Grand Rapids.

During retirement, his caring nature led him to volunteer for many years on Wednesday afternoons at Safe Haven Ministries, a Domestic Abuse Treatment Center. He valued their important mission, enjoyed his time there and the people he worked with and looked forward to it every week.

Bill is survived by his wife Rosemary, son Clark, daughter Rachael (Aaron) Koeson and grandchildren Ruby and Elm Koeson all of Grand Rapids, sister Margie Ribble of Maryville Tennessee, eight nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues.

A memorial service will be on Saturday, May 30 at 11:00am. Visitations will be on Friday, May 29, 5:00-7:00 and Saturday, May 30 at 10:00am at Calvin Church 700 Ethel Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

The memorial service will be livestreamed here: youtube.com/@CalvinChurchGR

In lieu of flowers, donations to Safe Haven Ministries would be appreciated.