Willard Bill Steele

Visitation: will be held on Monday, February 19, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Vigil Service: will be held on Monday, February 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Mass: will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City.

Interment: will follow at a later date in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City.

Our sweetheart, Willard Wayne (Bill) Steele, age 67, loving husband, father, and friend, passed away on Valentines Day, February 14, 2007 at his home in Miles City, following an extended illness.

Bill was born on August 23, 1939, in East St. Louis, Illinois, the son of Willard Washington Steele and Carrie Esther Burris. He grew up with his brother and four sisters in St. Petersburg, Florida. While there his mother remarried and he was raised by her and his beloved step-father, Mac McGraw. He completed schooling and joined the United States Air Force in 1956. He was stationed in Texas, South Korea, and Japan.

He returned to the United States and completed his enlistment at the 902nd squadron in Miles City, Montana. It was here he met the love of his life, Helena Warzynska. They married on May 7, 1960. From this blessed union they had three children, Kevin Wayne, Salina Rae and Yvette Lynne. Bill worked for Interstate Brands Company for 4 years and as a conductor on the Milwaukee Railroad until 1980, and worked nearly 20 years at Pine Hills School before retiring in 1994 due to ill health. Along the way he met many special friends and coworkers whom he truly enjoyed spending time with.

Bill and Helen were involved with many children through foster parents. For over twenty years, they took over eighty children into their home. Bill was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Helen of 46 years, son, Kevin (Barbara) Steele of Tempe, AZ, Daughter, Salina (Andre) Torain of New York, NY, and daughter Yvette (Rocky) Swanson of Miles City. He is also survived by special daughters, Stacy (Pat) Mackenzie of Miles City,Krisie Yother of Boston, MA, and Katie Yother of Bozeman.

Bill so enjoyed spending time with all of his precious grandchildren: Megan (Jose) Ochoa, Samuel and Maxwell Steele all of Tempe, AZ; Ruby and JesseTorain of New York, NY, Sage Robert and Shawnee Swanson of Miles City, and Mandy and Sage Mackenzie of Miles City. He is also survived by one brother, Don Steele of Elgin, IL, three sisters: Yvonne (Jim) Ingle of Eldon, MO, Peggy Mann of Tampa, FL, and Jeanne (John)Maciness of Richmond, VA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Rita Miller and a brother-in-law, Bill Mann. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 19, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Vigil Service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow at a later date in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.