Henry P. Stephens

Henry P. Stephens, 82, passed away in Indianapolis, IN on September 2nd, 2019.

He was surrounded by his wife, Elizabeth Kelly Stephens, and his three children, Henry, Doug, and Ann at the time of his passing.

His passionate heart, witty humor and thoughtful insights, along with his commitment to helping those around him, will be missed by all who knew him.

Henry graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1954. He served in the Kentucky National Guard from 1954 to 1962 and received an Honorable Discharge. He had a diverse educational background. He attended Berea College, Cumberland College, and University of Kentucky. He went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Commerce in 1959.
After graduation, he went into pharmaceutical sales with Merck, Sharp & Dohme and then into teaching Chemistry and Biology at Williamsburg High School. Throughout his life, he would talk fondly of the students that he taught at the high school and the sports teams he helped coach.

Even though Henry would move away from Williamsburg for periods of his life, the City of Williamsburg and its people would always remain near and dear to his heart.

From 1968-1970, he served as the Director of the Home Health Services Program for the State Health Department in Frankfort, Kentucky. From 1970 to 1973, he was the Catchment Administrator for Cumberland River Regional Mental Health Center in Corbin, Kentucky. He greatly enjoyed his focus on mental health education, operational delivery of services, and community building of local resources for mental and public health service delivery for the Southeastern Kentucky Region.

In 1973, Henry moved to Columbus Ohio to begin the second phase of his career as the Associate Executive Director for Columbus Area Community Mental Health Center. He would later speak of his career at Columbus Area as some of the most rewarding professional years of his life. During his time at Columbus Area he accomplished many strategic initiatives in the development and advancement of Mental Health Services for the Central Ohio region. He was a determined advocate and leader in helping Columbus Area achieve financial solvency for years to come. Throughout the rest of his life, he would often share stories of how he was able to engage “in the good fight” for creating an organizational legacy of service to the local Columbus community. While at Columbus Area, he obtained his MBA from Capital University.

In 1987, Henry moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana to work alongside his dear friend and former colleague, Dr. Jack Morgenstern. Together, they formed a physician group practice named Psychiatric Management Services. In 1990, they moved the group practice to Indianapolis, IN. Henry would finish his formal career with this practice.

After retirement, Henry devoted his life to spending time with his family, his friends, and pursuing his devotion to the great outdoors. An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Henry spent many blessed days and nights on adventures with his family and friends appreciating the majesty of God’s natural world. Wildlife and natural habitat preservation were themes that were near and dear to his heart and he could often be found filling his thoughts and days with events related to this. He also enjoyed helping his neighbors and friends in his local Williamsburg and Carmel, IN communities.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Charles L. Stephens, Mildred Siler Stephens Sheils, and step-Father Edward Sheils; grandson Nathan L. Stephens; brother, Dr. Charles L. Stephens, II.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Kelly Stephens; sons, Henry (DeeAnn) Stephens, Douglas Stephens; daughter, Ann Stephens Vawter (Brad); and brother Mark S. Stephens. He is also survived by his grandchildren Stewart Stephens, Lauren Stephens, Matt Stephens, Justin Stephens, and Raelyn Vawter, and his nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Croley Funeral Home in Williamsburg, KY on Saturday, September 14th. Visitation will start at 10:30 a.m. with services at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the Stephens family requests donations be made in memory of Henry to: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, P. O Box 4115, Frankfort, KY 40604; Phone 502-229-7578; KentuckWildlife.com or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rock Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607; Phone 844-739-0849; Donate.LoveToTheRescue.org.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.croleyfh.com.

Croley Funeral Home of Williamsburg is in charge of the arrangements.