William Ruff "Bill" Steger

William Ruff “Bill” Steger, 91, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, May 27, 2016 in the chapel at Dutton Funeral Home with Joe Howard Williamson officiating. Graveside services will follow at Highland Cemetery under the direction of Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park, Texas. Visitation will be held from 6 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the funeral home.

Bill was born July 15, 1924 to Roy L. and Trudy (Ruff) Steger in Cement, Oklahoma. He was the fifth of 6 children. Bill worked as a car salesman, construction worker, roughneck and pipe-liner in the United States and Canada. He retired as Tax Assessor and Collector for the Iowa Park School District and was also over transportation and school cafeterias. He considered one of his greatest accomplishments as being chosen as Iowa Park Citizen of the Year in 1979.

Bill was a proud veteran and served in the European Theatre during World War II, where he was chosen as one of four American G.I.’s to raise the American flag over Cologne, Germany after it was liberated by the Allies.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Geraldine, who passed away in 2011; and four of his siblings.

Surviving relatives include his last surviving sister, Roberta House of Watonga, Oklahoma; son, Gary and wife, Jean of Albuquerque, New Mexico; daughter, Linda Merrick and husband, Jim Bob of Richardson, Texas; five grandchildren, Greg Steger and wife, Sarah and their two daughters; Gina Maness and husband, Matt and their two daughters; Ginger Steger; J'Bill Merrick and wife, Michelle and their three sons; and Geri Merrick. He is known to his grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Bill Bill” and to his nieces and nephews he has always been “Uncle Bill.”

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Wichita Falls.