Father Stevens Elected Bishop in Fond du Lac

Episcopal News Service. May 15, 1980 [80176]

Fond du Lac, Wis. -- The Rev. William Louis Stevens, 48, was elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac at its 106th annual council meeting here on May 10. His election was assured on the second ballot when he received a majority of the votes in both the clergy and lay orders.

Father Stevens has been rector of St. Benedict's Church in Plantation, Fla., in the Diocese of Southeast Florida, since 1961.

He has accepted his election, which is now subject to the consent of the majority of diocesan bishops and standing committees of the Church.

The bishop-elect will succeed the Rt. Rev. William H. Brady, who was bishop coadjutor of the diocese from 1953 to 1956 and has been diocesan bishop since that date, when he retires on September 1.

A native of Yuba City, Calif., Father Stevens received his B.A. degree from San Francisco State College and his S. T. B. degree from General Theological Seminary, New York City. He has been a priest since 1957.

He was curate at St. Luke's Church, San Francisco, 1956-57, and then senior curate at St. Saviour's Church, London, England, from 1957 to 1959. He was a novice in the Order of the Holy Cross, West Park, N.Y., 1959 to 1961. He came to St. Benedict's in 1961, first as vicar of the mission, and then became rector when it achieved parochial status.

In the Diocese of Southeast Florida, Father Stevens is chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and a member of the Board of Examining Chaplains. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the diocese. From 1961 to 1978 he was dean of the Broward Convocation.

Father Stevens was one of three priests nominated by the diocese's screening committee, with three others nominated later by individuals. One priest was nominated from the floor.