Stephen William Humphrey

KERNERSVILLE-Stephen William Humphrey, 69, passed away Friday, January 02, 2015 after a joy-filled day with his wife and family. Although Steve was a devoted husband, talented artist, and avid gardener, he would escape to the Outer Banks several times a year for surf fishing with friends. He had a knack for telling a great story, but required a pen and a napkin to do so because stories are always better with illustrations. Lately, his greatest challenge was trying to beat his best bud - his grandson, Matthew - in chess.

Steve was born on December 20, 1945 in Quincy, MA and with his unexpected departure his family is left wondering, ""How did he find a place to store all of these Christmas decorations?"" He is survived by his loving wife, Gean Gillespie Humphrey; daughters, Michelle Lennon and husband, Tom of Kernersville and Staci Humphrey of Greensboro; son, William Todd Humphrey of Greensboro; grandson, Matthew Adkins; and sister, Margaret ""Dixie"" Botticello of MA.

After an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force in 1969, Steve settled near family in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia. There he received an Associate's Degree from New River Community College in 1976 and soon went to work in Dublin, VA for White Trucks which was later acquired by Volvo Trucks. He had a distinguished career for more than 30 years that culminated with national acclaim as Volvo Truck's Supplier Diversity Manager. He was an active member of the Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved grandmothers: Clarice Booth Humphrey who initiated his love of coconut cream pie and Hilda Ruska Pyyny who taught him to make his beloved Finnish nissua bread; his mother, Margaret Helen Pyyny Humphrey; his father, William Roland Humphrey; his sister, Clarice Humphrey Parker; and his great-uncle JC ""Buzz"" Roudebush from whom he inherited his love of fishing.

A Celebration-of-Life Service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2015 at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2211 West Meadowview Road, Greensboro, NC 27407.

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