 Retiring from the government sector in 1956, he became chairman of Australian Electrical Industries Ltd and British Automotive Industries Pty Ltd, and a director of Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd, Custom Credit Corporation Ltd, Mount Isa Mines Ltd and the Trustees Executors & Agency Co. Ltd.

Stevens died of a coronary occlusion on 20 May 1969 in Sydney and was cremated.He was survived by his wife.His only child, Duncan Stevens, was the captain of and was killed during the collision with on 10 February 1964.