I can follow him until 1881. I suspect he joined the army, but I cannot get him in Army records
1865 Aug 11. born Banbury, Oxfordshire (Neithrop is a suburb of Banbury)
1871 census living at Shepherds House, Wardington, Oxon
1881 census at Wardington, Oxon. He now uses Edward
1891 census he is not with the family, transcribed as Stevens, at South Newington, Oxfordshire
1920 Dec 31 enlisted with RIC no 77214. ex-soldier & Fitter
1921 Jan 3 resigned "climate not suitable"
1939 Register, There is a William E Stevens born 11 Aug 1875 (rather than 1865) but his wife is born 1865 so it may be him.