Submitted by
Ruth M. Brown
William J.
"Billy" Steele, Jr.
Birth: Oct. 25, 1919
Stranger, Falls County, Texas
Death: Sep. 19, 2005
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Burial: Calvary Cemetery
Marlin, Falls County, Texas
Billy was the
son of William John and Ophelia (Watson) Steele. He attended Texas A&M
University and North Texas State University.
Billy was
awarded the Purple Heart due to sustaining over 26 broken bones n his legs and
feet as a result of his glider crash on D-Day during World War II.
He worked many
years in the savings and loan industry and finished his career as City Tax
Collector for the city of Marlin. He was a 40-year member of the Marlin Rotary
Club, a Paul Harris fellow, a charter member of the D.A.V. and active in
numerous civic organizations throughout his life.
He was an elder
and lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church. His love for life, resilien6t
spirit and humble heart made him a friend to all. His strength, determination
and positive attitude was an inspiration to all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his son, Jim; parents; and five brothers and sisters.
Survivors
include his beloved wife of 58 years, Anna Steele; daughter, Susan Steele Roach
and husband, John; daughter-in-law, Patty Steele Bateman and husband, Butch;
grandchildren, Stacy Fallin and husband, David, Lisa Bardwell and husband,
Rodney, Julie Hollberg and husband, Mitch, and John B. Roach, III;
great-grandchildren, Haley Fallin, Steele Bardwell and Spencer Hollbert;
sisters, Alyce Specht, of Denton, Texas and Katherine "Kitty" Goodrich, of
DeSoto, Texas.
