William Stevens, 87, Was Math Teacher and Coach

William Henry Yale Stevens, formerly of Oak Bluffs, died Thursday, June 22, at his home in Dunnellon, Fla., under the loving care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. He was 87.

William was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of Yale and Rosa Sharpe Stevens. He grew up in Loudon Woods, Rye, N.Y., and was graduated from Phillips Academy-Andover in 1937.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, first teaching in a U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman School before going into sea duty in both ocean theatres. He captained subchasers and patrolcraft, and when the European war ended he was part of the flotilla that accepted the surrender of the German Navy in the English Channel Islands.

He retired as a lieutenant commander with five years' service.

William was graduated from Yale College in 1941 with a bachelor's degree. He went on to teach mathematics at both the middle and high school levels, working in Connecticut, Missouri and Massachusetts. He also supervised and coached many youth activities, including theatre, Boy Scouts, sailing and youth soccer.

William himself was an avid soccer player from high school on and loved sailing. He was a world traveler and enjoyed traveling with groups, friends, work and family.

In 1949 he built his home on the Vineyard, where he summered during his career and eventually retired until moving to Florida in October 2000. During his later years he served as harbor master at Harthaven Harbor. He was past member of the conservation commission of Oak Bluffs.

He also facilitated and assisted in establishing a system of walking trails throughout the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts.

Throughout his life on the Vineyard he carried on his mother's tradition of serving rich and beautiful waffles on Sunday mornings - it was a standing, open invitation to all his family and friends. The tradition is still being carried on today.

He was his own free spirit.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary Stevens, on Jan. 25, 2003.

He is survived by four sons, William H.Y. Stevens Jr. of Front Royal, Va., Robert J. Stevens of Auburndale, Johnathan P. Stevens of Seattle, Wash., and Peter D. Stevens of Methuen; two daughters, Marylyn M. Stevens-Bugbee of Crystal River, Fla., and Sharon R. Stevens Grunden of Oak Bluffs; a sister, Margaret Sharpe Clark of Andover, and 12 grandchildren.