AUBURN — Willis Laverne “Red” Stepp, 91, of 151 Watson Road, Poland Springs,  went to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 25, while in the care of the Hospice House, Lewiston.

He was born on Dec. 3, 1919, in Butler Co., Penn., to Merle L. and Ethel Olive (Lefever) Stepp.

Red enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served on the USS Dionne (DE-261), a destroyer escort set off into the Pacific, protecting U.S. convoys. While stationed in Portland, he met his lifelong bride, Pauline E. Eastman, whom he married on June 9, 1943. She survives him, as do his five children, Sandra (Vince) Ciufia, Monterey, Calif., James (Ann) Stepp, Casco, Susan (Jim) Smith, Newark, Del., Pamela (Todd Grinnell) Stepp, Chicago, Ill., and Stephen Stepp, Millbrook, Ala.

Also surviving are 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sibling, Jean (Scott) Bailey, Gibsonia, Penn.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Theron (Chip) and Richard (Dick) Stepp; and a sister, Ethel (Betty) Oswald.

Red’s life and love revolved around his family and his faith. A born-again Christian, Red taught a young couples Sunday school class every Sunday at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Portland for more than 30 years. After retiring, he and his wife of 68 years became members of the Poland Baptist Church, where Red also taught Sunday school for as long as his health permitted. He was known for his deep and infectious laugh, his love of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the enjoyment brought from hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. Of very special joy to Red were all the hours he spent with each and every grandchild and great grandchild.

A pipefitter by trade, Red was a member of Local 217 of the United Association Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and HVAC Service Techs. Red’s intelligence, skill set, work ethic, and integrity made him a highly sought-after man for such major local projects as the HVAC systems in the Maine Medical Center and Northeast Cold Storage in Portland, Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, and the state prison in Thomaston. Once when hospitalized at CMMC, Red told of his previous hospital visits, crawling around in the ceiling he was viewing from his bed.