Joseph "Dan" Daniel Stephenson

Joseph Daniel Stephenson "Dan" of Lillington and formerly of Erwin passed away in the early hours on Monday, January 20, 2025  at Autumn Care of Fayetteville at the age of 88.

He was born to Laurie Lee Stephenson and Pennie Helen Collins Lee. He grew up with his Mother and Grandma, Cora Isabelle McNeill Collins, the widow of his grandfather Daniel Archibald Collins. He often talked about how strong and resilient his Grandma was in her abilities to raise their many children while farming and maintaining the home and land and often quoted her saying, "If there's a will, there's a way." He cherished the memories of his Momma, Aunts, Uncles and cousins working on and around their farms in the then Luart community. He plowed their and others' fields behind Maude, the Mule. His great grandparents were Hardy and Flora Collins and Cornelius Benton and Martha McNeill. He graduated from Boone Trail High School on May 27, 1955. He is a US Navy Veteran and served from 1956 until 1959. He was stationed in San Diego, California, where he learned construction and welding, working on many ships there in the shipyards.

He made a career from welding and was the owner of Stephenson's Welding. He taught his sons, Glenn and Keith, as well as others to weld. He was an expert in Stud Welding and, along with his son, Keith, was one of a very few contractors that were allowed onto Camp Legune and Fort Bragg. Some notable projects were Crabtree Valley and Crosscreek Malls, Duke, UNC, NC State and Campbell Universities, many Schools. Churches, Temples and other large projects throughout North Carolina and the East Coast.

He married Peggy Jean Cutts and after the addition of their daughter, Cindy, they made their home in Erwin. In 2019 he moved in with Keith and his wife Debbie at their home that was built in 1903 by Daniel Archibald and Cora Isabelle Collins. Many stories and tall tales were told reminiscing about life on the farm at the old homeplace that is cherished by many. He loved to fish in the many quarries, fishin' holes, and ponds around the Joe Collins and River Road area as well as the Cape Fear River. He enjoyed fishing on the coasts and his last fishing adventure was with Debbie at Sneads Ferry Fishing Pier. He loved "old" Nascar and often made trips to the racetracks to watch his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt. He enjoyed playing cards. His was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Dunn. He was also an avid reader.

In addition to his mother, he is predeceased by his wife Peggy, daughter Cynthia Dawn (Cindy), and son Keith. He is survived by his son, Glenn and wife, Sherrie Stephenson, Grandson J. D. and wife, Madison Stephenson, his daughter-in-law and caregiver, Debra (Debbie) Hord Stephenson and his sister-in-laws Annie Runelle Jones and Betty Sue Edwards. The family wishes to thank the staff at Autumn Care of Fayetteville and Gentiva Hospice for their care of and kindness and compassion shown to "Mr. Joseph".

Dunn Funeral Home of Erwin is honored to serve the Joseph Stephenson family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph "Dan" Daniel Stephenson, please visit our floral store.