After receiving FFA and rodeo scholarships for his Ag studies and bull riding, he began attending Sam Houston State University. Once he decided the best part of college was socializing and riding bulls, he transferred his career interests to pipeline welding. Keith worked many years as a pipeline welder out of Pipeline Local 798. During these years of traveling to nearly every state in the U. S., he kept a bass boat hooked up behind his welding rig. This led to his second career as a professional bass fisherman.
When too many years of watching arcs fly that blurred his vision under a welding hood, Keith turned his love for boating into his own boat repair shop. By this time, he had been living at his dream home on the shores of Lake Sam Rayburn for several years. For all the places he had traveled and places he had seen, none could compare to his beloved community of Westwood Shores and the friends that became family to him over the twenty-five years he spent there.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his father, Bill Stephenson and wife Betty, of Green Hill, Arkansas. He is survived by one sister and favorite brother-in-law, Toni and Thad Joyner of Normangee, Texas. and his two nieces, Cash McBee Gillespie and her husband Seth of Hico, Texas, and Chase McBee of Normangee, Texas.
He also leaves behind a wonderful neighborhood family including Johnny, Rita, Gary, Amber, Cathy, Lynne' and a host of "Stump" friends.
Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021, at Greenhill Cemetery in Greenhill, Arkansas. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date at Lake Sam Rayburn. Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com.
Condolences(3)
Patty
Jasper, TX Wednesday, June 23, 2021 So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Keith. He was such a great guy and always a joy to be around. We will miss him. May he rest in peace.Peggy Eddy
Austin, AR Wednesday, June 16, 2021 So sorry for your loss!! My heart is with each of you! This hard to grasp but he is not suffering.Kay McClain Worbington
Monticello, AR Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Dear Bill and family, I am so sorry for your great loss. You all have my prayers and sympathy at this very sad time!