Edward Stephens died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at his residence. He was 90.

Born in Ponchatoula, La., he had been a resident of Vicksburg since 1944. Mr. Stephens was the son of the late Bee Howard Stephens and Clare Bell Marchbanks Stephens. He joined the Army in 1940 serving under Gen. George S. Patton with the 5th Army in North Africa helping to defeat the “Desert Fox,” Field Marshall Ervin Rommel, and participated in rescuing the 82nd Airborne Division as it marched into Germany.  He later served in the Korean War, achieving the rank of master sergeant, and was the recipient of seven battle stars.

Mr. Stephens retired from the U.S. Waterways Experiment Station with the Construction Services Division. He was a member of the Vicksburg Paddle Wheelers Square Dancers Club and attended Hawkins United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret N. Stephens; two brothers, Lloyd and Henry Stephens; and two sisters, Merle Stephens and Mary Etta Perrin.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda S. Parker and her husband, Bob, of Vicksburg; three brothers, Wilburn Stephens of Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Calvin Stephens of Denham Springs, La., and J.B. Stephens of Houston, Texas; a sister, Kathleen Wille of Denham Springs; two grandchildren, Lisa P. Hill and her husband, Don, of Vicksburg, and Victor S. Parker of Vicksburg; two great-granddaughters, Logan and Samantha, of Vicksburg.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Green Acres Memorial Park, with the Rev. Chris Young, pastor of Hawkins United Methodist Church, officiating. Visitation will be Monday at Riles Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service. Memorials may be made to favorite charities.

Pallbearers will be Victor Parker, J. B. Stephens, Thomas Wille, Howard Wille, Norwood Wille and Don Hill.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Brian Hudson, Charles Gastrell, Buddy Tindell, Jack Lewis, Dr. Tom Mitchell and Dr. Paul Pierce IV.