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Stephen Hunt Howell, 82, passed away Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at his home in North Martinsburg. Born April 11,1937, in Newton, Iowa, he was the son of the late Don Deverne Howell and Hope Hunt Howell.
At the age of 17, Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Navy for what was to be a 35 year career. Starting as a hard hat diver, and later moving to the submarine force, Stephen earned a college degree at night and became a commisioned officer. Stephen held a masters degree in business from Pepperdine University.
Stephen Served on submarines throughout the Vietnam War. He rose to the rank of Captain and was assigned to be the Commanding Officer of the USS Hull DD945, a fleet destroyer. Stephen ended his Navy career as CO of the U.S. Navy Base in Yokosuka, Japan, retiring in 1989.
In his years after the Navy, Stephen never really retired. He started a squid fishing business in Ensenada, Mexico, before moving to his wife's home town of Martinsburg. After fishing Stephen worked for the State of WV as Gov. Caperton's Business Liaison to Japan for 3 years. Stephen apprenticed for and became a Real Estate Appraiser, working at his own Appraisal Business thru 2008.
Stephen was an avid reader. Much of the time in his final years he spent reading and tackling various home projects. Stephen's wife, Phyllis was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late 2014. Phyllis succumbed to the disease Feb. 9, 2017. After her death Stephen was hospitalized numerous times with a bone infection and lost his ability to walk. Stephen never lost hope that someday he would regain his mobility.
In addition to his parents and wife, Stephen was preceded in death by his sister- in- law, Retha Jeanette Howell; his sister, Melanie Ann Rowan; and granddaughter, Jessica Elizabeth Seeley. Stephen is survived by his two brothers, Stuart and David; his children Kathryn, Stephen and Daniel; his grandchildren, Jerimiah, Jacob, Jonathan, Joshua, and Kristine; and his great-grandchildren, Madeline, Cullen, Anne, David, Rebecca, Ariana, and Cadence.
Viewing for family and friends will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Brown Funeral Home in Martinsburg. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Martinsburg. Interment will follow at Rosedale Cemetary military section
Phyllis May Howell passed from this life at her home, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.
She was born April 4, 1941, in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the daughter of late James F. and Mary E. Sowers.
Phyllis is survived by her husband Stephen Howell Sr.; three children, Kathryn Howell, Stephen Howell II, Daniel Howell, all of Martinsburg; two brothers, Paul F. Sowers, Charles T. Sowers; five sisters, Nora J. Porterfield, Marie E. Osbourne, B. Rosalie Houser, F. Regina Kisner, and Anna E. Albright, all of the Martinsburg area; a sixth sister Patricia E. Bowling, lives in Sykesville, Maryland; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren comprise a large family.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Sowers and numerous in-laws.
She was a dedicated Navy wife having been married to her husband a retired career submariner of 34 years and having travelled throughout the orient in support of her husband’s career.
She was dedicated to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Martinsburg, and to the Catholic Daughter’s Association of America. She was active as a Master Gardener and contributed to her community through the Meals-on-Wheels program. Since high school graduation, Phyllis remained close to her former high school classmates and gave strong support for all efforts to remain in a viable social group. She also enjoyed working in the great outdoors and took much pride in landscape work in her large semi-rural property.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home.
A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held after the public viewing at 11 a.m on Wednesday, 15 Feb. 2017 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be followed by a graveside burial at Rosedale Cemetery and a memorial reception in the basement of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Flowers please to the Brown Funeral Home.
Memorial donations please to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148.