Philip N. Stephenson

Madison - Philip ""Phil"" Stephenson,  age 83, died November 24, 2009, of injuries sustained in an accident November 7. He was born February 26, 1926, the son of Joseph and Mary Stephenson.  He graduated from Madison Central High School in 1943 and maintained lifelong ties with many of his high school friends.  After a brief service in the Air Force at the end of WWII he attended UW Madison and graduated in 1951 with a degree in accounting.  He worked for many years for the Department of Employee Trust Funds .  He and his wife Helene left state service in the 1980s and went on to enjoy a rich and rewarding life in retirement.  Among Phil's many interests were his and Helene's antique business, his garden, birding and nature, and especially his participation in the New Horizons Band, where he played the trumpet. 

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert,Harold, James and Samuel and his daughter Amy. He is survived by his wife Helene Stephenson, their children Tuck Campbell,  Kietra (John) King, Christine Stephenson, Janeen Stephenson (Leonard Bohmann), Carol Stephenson, and Jim (Kerri) Campbell ; grandchildren Jason, Jayme, Robert, and James Campbell, Matt Cunningham, and Nick Bohmann; his brother Paul Stephenson and sister Ruth Denson.  He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. 

 We are deeply grateful to the nurses, doctors and other staff of Meriter Hospital ICU for their devoted and compassionate care of Phil during his stay there, and for their many acts of kindness to his family. 

There will be a visitation for family and friends on Friday November 27, 2009, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at CRESS FUNERAL HOME,  3610 Speedway Road.  The family will hold a private graveside service at a later date.