William C. "Bill" Steele, Sr, 85, of Mishawaka, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 10, 2010 in his home. Bill was born on February 11, 1924 in Gun Plains Township, MI to the late Clyde W. and Della M. (Noteboom) Steele. On December 24, 1945 in Michigan City, he married Lavon Boocher.
He is survived by his wife Lavon, of Mishawaka, five sons, Daniel (Charlotte) Steele of Dowagiac, MI, William C. (Paulette) Steele, Jr. of Granger, Marshall (Jennea) Steele of North Liberty, IN, Kenneth (Teresa) Steele of South Bend, and Timothy (Donna) Steele of Mishawaka, IN; 11 grandchildren, Amy (Ray) Woodruff, Andrea Fricke, William (Amy) Steele, III, Ashley (Tim) Andrews, Marshall (Amy) Steele, Jr., Mindy (Ryan) Norberg, Kerry (Lisa) Steele, Jamie (Sara) Steele, Joel Steele, Anthony (Jill) Steele, and Timothy (Sarah) Steele, Jr.,16 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Geraldine Daniels of Florida. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Rose Maury and three brothers, Robert, Floyd and George.
Bill proudly served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army as a Medical Technician. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He worked for many years in commercial well drilling for Layne Northern Co. before his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Niles Grace Brethren Church, where he was very active. Bill was an avid gardener and loved woodworking and auto mechanics. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, January 14, 2010 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, January 15, 2010 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Niles Grace Brethren Church, 1928 East Bertrand Road, Niles, MI 49120.
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