William "Bill" V. Steele, Jr.

Bill was born November 29, 1941, in Springfield, the son of William V. Steele, Sr. and Margaret Brennan Steele. He married Mary Jo Ludwig in 1960 in Springfield and they were married for 20 years. He later married Rosemary E. “Roe” Bartolo on October 9, 1982, in Springfield; she preceded him in death on October 10, 2021.

Bill graduated from Cathedral Boys High School in 1959 and attended Springfield Junior College. He ran United Ready Mix with his parents and then was a traveling salesman for Roland Machinery in Springfield. Bill later worked for the State of Illinois CMS until his retirement. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Roman Cultural Society, and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus with Bishop Griffin Assembly. Bill enjoyed gardening, working in his yard, painting, cooking, especially beef stew and chili, and was known for always wearing his cowboy boots.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Eddie Huelsman.

Bill is survived by his children, William “Bill” V. (Rebecca) Steele, III of Springfield, James Michael “Mike” (Ceitha) Steele of Springfield, Frank Joseph (Beth) Steele of Nokomis, Cynthia (Keith) Hancock of Oconee, IL, and Susan Steele of Springfield; his children’s mother, Mary Jo Funk of Nokomis; grandchildren, William V. (Kayla) Steele, IV, Veronica (Mac) Brown, Vincent (Michelle) Steele, Alyce (John) Hannan, Abbey Steele, Keith Steele, Kyle (Sara) Hancock, Jake (Amanda) Steele, Jessi (Jim) Steele, Colton (Ally) Steele, Brody Steele, Riley Steele, and Remy Steele; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Margaret, Finley, Myla, Maren, Hannah, Hadley, Giovanni, Gianna, Genevieve, Jayben, Cayson, and Canon; stepchildren, Michael “Mike” (Jill) Sanders of O’Fallon, Michelle “Shelly” Secker of Pearl City, and Melinda “Mindy” Weller of Springfield; step-grandchildren, Jenelle (Myron) Stine, Kris (Stacie) Hancock, Taylor and Reagan Sanders, Katie (Nathan) Luckett, Nathan and Cooper Secker, and Clayton and Brooklyn Weller; step great-grandchildren, Keira, Addilyn, Hailie, Owen, Hollie, Dominic, and Peyton; sisters, Paula (Paul) Lawler of San Antonio, TX and Penny Huelsman of McKinney, TX; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. Illinois COVID-19 guidance will be followed, requiring face coverings.

Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1345 N. Sixth St., Springfield, with Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, C.R.S., PhD, celebrant. Illinois COVID-19 guidance will be followed, requiring face coverings. Family and friends may view the Funeral Mass via streaming at: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/695458340

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Roman Cultural Society, P.O. Box 475, Springfield, IL 62705.