Billy Ralph Stiebens, 73, died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at his home.

He was born June 9, 1936, at Frederick, Oklahoma the son of Ralph and Nellie Viola "Bobbie" Ulrich Stiebens.

On June 16, 1955, he married Carlene Buchanan at Pueblo, Colo. She survives.

Other survivors include: two sons, Johnny Ralph, McPherson, and Timothy Paul and his wife Diana, Hutchinson; a sister, Velva Jean Floyd and her husband Dale, Cache, Okla.; a brother, Jerry Lynn Stiebens and his wife Ann, Manitou, Okla.; many nieces and nephews, 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Billy graduated from Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado in May of 1954 and from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina, in May of 1959 with a B.A. in Bible. He was a grocery manager for eleven years for King Soopers in Denver and Colorado Springs and for Associated Grocers in Pueblo, Colorado. He became a pastor in 1968 and served churches in LaJunta and Fruita, Colo., Russell, Medora and Burrton, Kan. He was a pastor for 34 years. He was a member of New Tribes Mission and served as their general representative for six years in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas. He retired in 2001. He filled pulpits as an interim pastor for six years. On February 12, 2007, he suffered a severe stroke, which paralyzed and incapacitated him. He had lived at home under the care of Hospice since April 2009.

Funeral service will be Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Union Valley Bible Church with Pastor Steve Hodgson presiding. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park. Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

In care of the mortuary, memorials may be sent to the Union Valley Bible Church Sound System Fund.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.