William Martin “Bill” Steen, age 75, passed into eternal life in Conroe, Texas, on Sunday, January 12, 2014, after a courageous yet tranquil battle with cancer. Bill was born in Jennings, Louisiana, to Lester James Steen and Helen Margaret (Johnson) Steen on March 18, 1938. In 1940 they moved to Conroe, Texas, where Bill’s school days began. He graduated from Conroe High School, a proud member of the Class of 1956. In 1958 he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Barbara Ann Foeh. Later that same year he and Barbara moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, and lived there until 1963 when Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). In 1979 he earned his Master of Education degree from Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas.
Bill started his career in education by teaching English and Latin at Aldine High School in the fall of 1963. After teaching several years he was employed as Credit Manager for John Holmes Tire Co., then became self-employed and co-owner of B & E Sinclair Station and Miracle City Rentals, all in Conroe. In 1970 he resumed teaching at Conroe High School with his English and Latin classes, then only taught Driver Education until his retirement in 1993. In the early 1970s he was a member of the Conroe Jaycees and Evening Lions Club. He was also employed for 20 years by H&R Block during tax season as a tax preparer, eight of those years as Office Supervisor in the Conroe office, and after that he kept a home office where he continued to prepare tax returns for numerous clients. Bill joined the United States Naval Air Reserves in 1955 and retired from the Navy after 29 years of service. In 2002 he was appointed to the Appraisal Review Board of the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District, serving as a member several years and later as Board Chairman.
Bill always believed that one should work hard, but also play hard. He possessed an independent nature with a keen sense of wit. Over the years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, country music, different card games and dominoes. He also enjoyed tinkering with antique clocks, eventually co-owning The Century Shoppe locally for several years. Beekeeping was a personal interest of his, and he was a past president of the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association. Researching family genealogy was a favorite and personal quest he encouraged others to pursue, and he was always willing and eager to share helpful information and stories. He was especially proud of his paternal Scotch-Irish ancestry. Bill was an avid Conroe Tigers football fan and took special interest in keeping up with the Ganado Indians team as well. In general he loved Texas high school football and went all over the state to attend certain games. Bill never met a stranger; he maintained Christian values throughout his life.
Preceded in death by his parents, Bill is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter, Sheryl Ann Steen; son, William “Martin” Steen II; brother and sister-in-law, Gerald “Jerry” and Linda Steen; brother-in-law, Fred Foeh; sister-in-law, Grace McDonald; a number of nephews, nieces, cousins and a multitude of friends. He will be missed immensely by all who knew him and loved him. Serving as Pallbearers will be Don Archer, John Madison “J.M.” Golding, Kenneth E. “Joe” Guinn, Bert H. Lynch, Dan “Stoney” Phillips, Marshall Toppel, John E. Weisinger and Aaron Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Edward Broussard, John King, Rigby Owen, Jr., Cecil Stevenson, Wayne “Sonny” Winch, Ronnie Vidrine, Robert Zuber, members of the Texas Chowboys BBQ team, Bobby Bothe and the Ganado Backyard Boosters.
The family will receive family and friends on Friday, January 17, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for visitation at Metcalf Funeral Home, 1801 East White Oak Terrace, in Conroe. A service of remembrance will be held in the Metcalf Chapel on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. conducted by Rev. Bobby Lynch with interment to follow at Conroe Memorial Cemetery. After interment family and close friends are invited to the Conroe Tower, 6th floor, 300 West Davis, to share in the celebration of Bill’s life.
For those wishing to make memorial gifts in Bill’s name, it would please the family to consider Montgomery County Genealogical & Historical Society (MCGHS), c/o Montgomery County Library, 104 I-45 North, Conroe, TX 77301; Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, 1506 I-45 North, Conroe, TX 77305; Camp Summit, Capital Campaign, 17210 Campbell Rd., Suite 180-W, Dallas, TX 75252; M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P. O. Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210-4464, or a charity of your choice.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
(2 Timothy 4:7)
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