Benny Stevenson

Benny Perce Stevenson, age 83 of Tahlequah, Oklahoma passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at his home in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00  p.m., Thursday, February 23, at the Hart Funeral Home with Bobby Botts and George Hubbard officiating. Burial will follow in the Tahlequah City Cemetery under the direction of the Hart Funeral Home.

Visitation hours will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Hart Funeral Home.

Benny Perce Stevenson was born July 23, 1940, in Pumpkin Hollow in Proctor, Oklahoma to Walter Stevenson and Elsie Shephard. He grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and attended the Oakdale School and Tahlequah High School.

At the age of 19, Benny married Betty Kelly age 18 on March 15, 1961, in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Next month would have been their 63 anniversary. Benny was a self-employed Heavy Equipment Operator, he also had a love for horses and loved the Lord, pastoring several Churches. Known as the Barbecue Legend he was the owner and operator of Hillbilly Barbecue. Benny also had a special place in his heart for his grandson Dillon.

Survivors include three children; Marty Stevenson and wife Pam of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, their children Shelby Dorler, and Cloey (Tyler) Fuller; Tina Tracy of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and her daughter Hannah (Jacob) Harris; Dena and Tracy Bluebird of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and their children Dillon “Sonboy” Bluebird, Jenny (Randall) House and Mikel Thomas; Five great grandchildren Daigen, Araya, Maci, Eleanor, and Cale Perce; sister Joyce and husband Thomas Eastham of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; son-in-law Rick Tracy of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and life long friend Dub Goodnight. Numerous Nieces, Nephews, and great friends.

He was preceded in death by his Father, his mother, and stepfather Noah Shephard; two brothers Johnny Shephard and Dwight Shephard; two sisters Brenda Stephens and Verda Ratliff.