Alvis Stephens

Alvis Piner (Al) Stephens, 86, passed away Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, after a courageous struggle with Parkinson's Disease.
Celebration of Life: 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12 at First United Methodist Church, 800 W. 5th St., Fort Worth 76102. A private inurnment service will be held at the church's columbarium.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Justice Ministry of First United Methodist Church or First Street Methodist Mission.
Al was born Dec. 10, 1928, and grew up on the family dairy farm in Wise County. He was the son of the late Joseph Piner and Ruth Hornbeck Stephens, and brother to his two sisters who preceded him in death. He had an idyllic childhood in a loving family, balancing the beautiful pasturelands and flowing creeks with the daily challenges of dairy farming.
Al earned his bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of North Texas and his MBA at Texas Christian University. His career began in the accounting department of Texas Electric Service Company, and, after a brief stint in the U.S. Army finance corp in Sapporo, Japan, he joined a local accounting firm. That firm merged with the international accounting firm of Arthur Young (now Ernst & Young) with which he served as partner for over 50 years. He took retired partner status with Ernst & Young in 1988 and worked another 20 years as chief financial officer for Lewis & Lambert.
For many years, he was active in Certified Public Accounting and industrial accounting organizations, as well as community organizations like Downtown Rotary Club and the American Diabetes Association. He was a supporter of his two alma maters, UNT and TCU, and an avid golfer and member of Ridglea Country Club. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth and the Inquirers Class.
The family wishes to express appreciation to his loving caregiver Joan Parker of Comfort Keepers, Community Hospice, and the staff and friends from First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth.
Al is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Mary Phillips and Helen Wallace.
Al is survived by his wife of 35 years, Carolyn; step-son, Douglas Aiken and his wife Melissa of Granbury; grandson, Dalton Aiken who is a student at his grandfather's alma mater UNT; nephews, Craig Phillips of Fort Worth and Rick Wallace of Decatur; and sister-in-law, Kathy Spoerl.

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