Steele, The Reverend Doctor William L. – Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc.

The Reverend Doctor William Lewis Steele

May 15, 1947 – April 19, 2020

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, William Lewis Steele was an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. He attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, and did his initial theological work at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. At Pittsburgh, he graduated summa cum laude, and received both the preaching and Hebrew award in his senior year. In 1984, he graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Bill was “called” to ministry and served the following churches: Student Intern, Bower Hill Presbyterian Church, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Minister of Education and Youth, First Presbyterian Church, Levittown, Pennsylvania; Pastor, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, Indiana; Pastor, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Beaumont, Texas; Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Dearborn, Michigan; Head of Staff, First Presbyterian Church, Oceanside, California; Senior Minister, The Reformed Church of Bronxville, Bronxville, New York. He retired in 2008.

During his 38-year ministry, Bill touched and enriched many lives. Known by a variety of names – Chapel Man, Doc, The Rev, Girl, My Minister, Billy, Papi, Charlie Christian, DH, Willy, Holiness, Buddy – he was known for his warmth, big smile, acceptance, inclusion, generosity, dance moves, and, as he used to say, “his good looks.” Bill Steele was a great preacher, and he loved words and interpreting the Gospel with conviction, integrity, honesty, compassion and, more often than not, a big dose of humor. On tip toes and nearly falling out of the pulpit, Bill’s delivery style was captivating and dramatic yet sensitive and challenging.

He was not only a great preacher but an outstanding teacher and scholar, understanding counselor, devoted friend, caring father, and loving husband. Several years ago, a very dear friend, with whom he attended seminary, asked him how he wanted to be remembered. Bill’s response, “I hope I will be remembered as faithful.”

Bill Steele was faithful: to his ordination vows, his friends, his colleagues, his staff, his family, his community, the church, and to his God. He struggled with Parkinson’s Disease for the past 14 years, and it slowly took him away from those who knew and loved him. It was and has been a very sad and long goodbye as the disease robbed him of his beautiful words and smile. However, despite all of this, he remained Faithful. Well done, Bill Steele. Well done, good and faithful servant. You go, Girl!

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Jane Jae Reed; three amazing sons and their spouses: William Stetson (Jennifer); Reed Henderson (Julie); Colin Jutson (Kate); four treasured grandchildren Maximus Walker, Samuel Hawkins, Lucy Marie, and Oliver William; two sisters: Patricia Wahls (Roger) and Deborah Petrone (Joe) and a nephew, Joshua Wahls. He was predeceased by his mother, Lewis Bernice Henderson, and father, William Monroe Steele.

Frederick Buechner, an author who had a profound impact on Bill’s life, says, “The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.” The party was complete because of William Lewis Steele.

At a later date, there will be a private family service in the church in Vermont where Bill and Jane were married nearly 50 years ago.

Memorial donations may be made to the church/synagogue/charity of your choice or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Condolences(9)

Cynthia Faville says
May 20, 2020 at 10:16 am

Bill was there for us during a 2 year health crisis with our 10 year old son back in 2005 He was truly amazing and supportive and it meant the world to us. He was our rock and spiritual guide.
The Favilles
Cynthia, Jeff, Jamie and Catherine Faville
Julia Murphy says
May 20, 2020 at 10:18 am

Dear Jane- Bill reached out to all- the year 2000 he went at our invite to St Joseph’s along with the Sanfords and Browns for New Year’s Ti this daycI do not know impact he Had on the Monsignor but Bill was deeply important to our spiritual Christian lives esp with support he provided to my youngest Claire- he will be a missed guest at this I’m going party of Life- God bless Bill’s loved ones always
Tony Lemberger says
May 20, 2020 at 11:58 am

Dear Jane. I am so sorry for the loss of Bill. He was a great influence in my church life and I owe him a lot. Bill was so supportive of me and helped me to grow in my faith. He will be missed, but he is safe with God and waiting for when we can all be together again.
Andrew Bartsch says
May 20, 2020 at 4:29 pm

Reflecting on my time with Bill, the first thing that comes to mind is that it was fairly presumptuous to call him by his first name when I was only 15. He didn’t mind at all. I don’t remember how my connection to Bill grew from Sunday service and confirmation class to a personal one, but I felt comfortable speaking honestly to him. He let me question God’s existence and was always happy to see me. He genuinely enjoyed my company, although I’m not quite sure why. He made people feel good about themselves, he didn’t take himself too seriously, and he clearly loved life. While I only saw Bill once in recent years when his health was deteriorating, I thought of him frequently and warmly and will do so for the rest of my life.

I’m sorry for your loss Jane.

-Andrew Bartsch
Blair Parkes says
May 20, 2020 at 10:52 pm

Jane, my heart hurts for you and for all that knew Bill. He was a gentle soul. He taught me many things, not the least of which was to love my fellow man. He taught me how to be genuine and to believe that God loved us all, even when we weren’t at our best. Had it not been for Bill Steele, my life would have gone in a very different direction. Thank you for all that the two of you did for a group of teenagers in Levittown, Pa. We will remember both of you forever! Love to you and your entire family.

Blair Parkes
Ruth Hannah says
June 25, 2020 at 11:35 pm

Dear Jane and Family,

I is with sadness I read Bill’s obituary, but know he is at peace and in a better place. Many years have passed since you and Bill left Levittown Church, but Bill has not been forgotten but myself and Amy and David. He always made the time for them, which meant a lot to them as children.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jane, and your family.

Ruth Hannah
David and Carol Spinweber says
August 1, 2020 at 5:20 pm

Jane and Family…just found this post after searching for Bill’s full name. Carol and I are retiring to Traverse City and cleaning out boxes. I found Caitlin’s baptism letter signed by Bill and realized that maybe Bill Steele wouldn’t find him. I was happy to finally find him but saddened to hear of his passing.

Bill made church fun in Dearborn. We moved to Fort Wayne and frankly never found another minister or church that engaged us as he did. We moved back to Michigan in 1996 but still didn’t find another Presbyterian church like the one Bill put together in Dearborn.

Bill was a great man. We still talk about him and how I always was running late with Elly and Allison but still managed to get a front seat pew. He’d always give me that knowing eye after sitting down.

Carol and I are so sad for you Jane and your family. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that he made a LASTING impression on his flock that probably extends across the country. He was a great guy
Wanda Moon says
September 16, 2020 at 1:43 pm

Jane and Family, Jim Russell just called to tell me of Bill’s passing. You have all been in my prayers over the past many years. The “Book of the Every Other Month Club” that Bill founded at Dearborn First Presbyterian Church 30 years ago met via Zoom just this past Saturday and we often recall the books that Bill read with us and treasure those memories. The tribute I just read online was lovely and fitting for a lovely man. His influence lives on.
Amy smith krallman says
September 27, 2022 at 12:28 pm

My condolences to all of you; I am saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. Bill formed my faith journey – engaging in debate with a young girl, encouraging her to read and think but to not just think, as “God’s love” is action. He challenged, loved, encouraged always. Jane, your thoughtfulness in opening your home to Bethany parishioners was new and welcome, and I have thought fondly of you both over the years. Saying a special prayer of thanks today for Bill and for your family.

Steele, The Reverend Doctor William L. May 15, 1947 - April 19, 2020

Condolences(9)

Cynthia Faville says

Julia Murphy says

Tony Lemberger says

Andrew Bartsch says

Blair Parkes says

Ruth Hannah says

David and Carol Spinweber says

Wanda Moon says

Amy smith krallman says

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