William "Bill" G. Steele

Bill was born in Great Falls, Montana, on November 30th, 1929.  He was introduced to living on a ranch at the age of three years old when his grandmother left Great Falls to live with her sister Bertha Holmberg.  She took Bill with her to the Charlie Holmberg Ranch west of Belt, Montana in the Tiger Butte area.  At the age of six, he started school in Great Falls.  It was in the time of the Great Depression, and it was not uncommon for children to find part time jobs to help out financially.  At the age of twelve, he put an ad in the paper saying young man wants work on a ranch during the summer months.  He went to work for the Thorndike Dairy located on Gibson Flats south of Great Falls.  The wage wasn’t the important issue, the thing that meant the most to him at the time was getting to stay in the bunkhouse by himself.  Thereafter, he worked on ranches and farms in the Belt, Highwood, Floweree, and Belt Park areas, doing what he loved to do.  When he turned 17, he joined the Navy.  He spend almost 6 years in the Navy, and although he loved the sea, he returned to Great Falls.  He joined the Great Falls Police Department, and remained there for 25 years with the Great Falls Surface Units.  He also jointed the Cascade County Sheriff’s Posse and became a life member.  Bill was also a member of the Shriners Horse Patrol for many years and a member of the Cowboy’s Association since 1963. Bill had a great love for animals, especially horses, and a great love for life.

Bill is survived by his wife, Heide Steele, his daughter Natalie (Steve) Doll and their sons Nick and Jason; his step-daughter Carol Lien and her children Amber Zander, Keegan Lien, Dylan (Severin) Gilbert, Hunter Lien; his son William “Butch” Steele and his children Crystal and Lisa; his sister Dori (Gary); his sister Bobbi (Barry); the Holman family; the Schaefer family, and many great-great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife Mary and second wife Florence, and his parents William and Mildred Steele.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.  A memorial will be announced at a later date due to Covid-19, followed by an entombment at Fort Harrison in Helena. 

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