Guitarist Stephens lauded, mourned

The haunting guitar of Norm Stephens playing "Wildwood Flower" and Floyd Cramer's beautifully nostalgic "Last Date" echoed Wednesday across the Northern California Veterans Cemetery.

Stephens, who gained fame from his skill with a guitar, was remembered by family and friends - including country music legend Merle Haggard - in prayer, song and military honors during a note-perfect funeral service.

Haggard, who credited Stephens' musical influence, performed "Every Step of the Way," one of Stephens' favorites.

Stephens, 77, died May 4 at his Cottonwood home. He was a humble and talented musician who was also a devoted family man and patriot, said the Rev. Jim Logan, a longtime family friend.

"Along the way, his life was an adventure," said Logan, citing God, family, country and music as four things Stephens loved most.

The funeral, which included a California National Guard honor guard, the playing of taps and a U.S. Marine Corps League rifle salute, was attended by more than 100 family members, friends and admirers.

Stephens, who learned to play guitar when he was 11, left his family's Charleston, Ark., farm after high school and later played with Lefty Frizzell in the 1950s, recording two No. 1 country music hits: "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time," and "I Love You in a Thousand Ways."

Drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Stephens spent most of his military service in the Philippines.

Stephens moved to Redding in the 1950s and was an engineer for 36 years with the California Department of Transportation.