Submitted by: Cathy Millburn

WILLIAM JOHN STEELE, JR.

     William John Steele, Jr., b October 25, 1919 at Stranger, Falls County, Texas -was a son of William John and Tempa Ophelia (Watson) Steele, Sr.
     William John Steele, Jr. (called "Billy") served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a Glider Pilot, with the rank of Flight Officer. He was sent overseas to the European Theater of Operations, and was among the men participating in the Invasion of Normandy on "D-Day," June 6, 1944. His feet were crushed that day, and he was taken to the General Hospital in England for several months, and subsequently back to the United States. He was discharged December 1945, and had been awarded the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the ETO Campaign Ribbon. He spent many months in military hospitals, while his feet were operated time and again.
     On August 31, 1947 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, "Billy" was married to Anna Lois Taylor, b March 22, 1926 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas - a daughter of George Lovelace Taylor and his wife, to whom he was married June 24, 1925, Bettie Jo Farris, b November 20, 1902, d July 23, 1939 and buried in Calvary Cemetery - a sister of Mrs. Frank ("Bobbye" Farris) Hackel, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Farris of Kentucky, who moved to Ellis County, Texas, and subsequently to Dallas County, Texas.
     William John Steele, Jr. is the City of Marlin Tax Assessor and Collector, and Anna Lois (Taylor) Steele taught in the Marlin Independent School District until her retirement in May 1986. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Marlin, where Billy is an Elder, and Anna sings in the Choir.
     Billy and Anna had two children:
     James William Steele, b February 11, 1949 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - married June 28, 1969 in Waco, Texas to Patricia Ann Coppedge, b February 28, 1948 in Cuero, Texas, and they have two children: Stacy Ann Steele, b February 10, 1970 in Waco; and Lisa Taylor Steele, b July 24, 1974 in Conroe, Texas. The family resides in Conroe, Texas.
     Betty Susan Steele, b May 16, 1951 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - married June 16, 1984 to John Birsen Roach, Jr., b June 20, 1951 in Shamrock, Texas. They have no children. Both John and Susan are Bank Executives in Dallas, Texas.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 431 column 2 and page 432 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.