RONDA — Joseph Billie "Bill" Steelman, Sr., 94, passed away on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 in his home following a lengthy illness. Bill was born on Jan. 15, 1924 in Yadkin County to Joe Henderson and Elma Cass Steelman. He grew up and attended school in Yadkin County. Following graduation from West Yadkin High School, he served our country in the US Navy during World War II. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he was employed with Life and Casualty Insurance Company, where he worked for 40 years. He then worked for the US Postal Service. After retirement, Bill spent his time volunteering for The American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Mountain Valley Hospice and Samaritans Purse. Bill was a devout Christian. Bill and Nancy traveled both in the United States and abroad to several countries representing the Southern Baptist Convention. He was a lifetime member of the Gideons International. Having a lifetime love of reading, and learning, a stack of books was always by his side. Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy Dimmette Steelman; sons, Joey (Lois) Steelman, Jack (Susan) Steelman, and Dick (Anna) Steelman; step-daughter, Mary Jane (Jim) Jenkins; step-son, Edward (Jennifer) Dimmette; grandchildren, Kristen Majors, Mandy Hiatt, John (Margaret) Steelman, David (Lori) Steelman, Jilien Steelman, Drew (Gretchen) Steelman, Ashley Steelman; step-grandchildren, Candice Dimmette, Luke (Christina) Jenkins, Maggie (Jason) Simmons; great-grandchildren, Madalyne Majors, Corbett Hiatt, Airlie Hiatt, Taylor Steelman, Cassy Steelman; step-great-grandchildren, Zeke Simmons, Haven Simmons, Adrianna Jenkins and Wally Jenkins. He is also survived by a brother, James Steelman. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Lola Mae Yarborough Steelman, sisters, Olene Trivette, Edith Dobbins, Lola Davis, and Betty Crews. The family would like to thank Bill's caregiving team, Shirley Aaron, Denise Cheek, Destiny Dixon, Jackie Foster, Teresa Lyons, Janet McCann, Toni Poore, and Wake Forest Baptist Care at Home Hospice for the love, fellowship, compassion, and comfort that they brought to Bill at the end of his life. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Ronda. His funeral service will follow the visitation in Macedonia Baptist Church by Rev. Mike Smith, Rev. Tim Tucker, and Rev. Joel Blevins. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Full Military Honors by Yadkin VFW Post 10346 and the US Navy Honor Guard. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Jonesville is serving the Steelman Family.

Published in The Tribune from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2019.