Reverend William Steel

Reverend William Steel
Reverend William (Bill) Steel passed away peacefully on July 27 in his home with loved ones by his side. Bill was born in Monticello, AR, on December 31, 1932. He grew up in Dallas, TX, and went to college at Hendrix College (BA), Perkins School of Theology (MD), Union School of Theology, and received his Doctor of Religion from Claremont School of Theology in 1979. His life was spent serving the church in California. He founded and served at the Woodland Hills Methodist Church from 1958 to 1976 and finally at Mesa Verde United Methodist Church from 1979 to 1994. Bill is known for his wonderful sermons. He had a way of using ordinary words to express the extraordinary. His sermons were always filled with compassion, challenge and a dash of his humor.
Bill and his wife of 55 years, Betty-Jo, traveled the world. He loved to play golf, go fishing, hiking, college football, summers at the Y.M.C.A. of the Rockies and his beloved Rocky Mountains. He thought food groups were only donuts, cheeseburgers, fries and diet coke. For over 30 years he was a part of “The Lunch Bunch” a group of Methodist clergy who met every other Thursday for lunch. In the later years as each man retired they became “The Romeos” or Retired Old Men Eating Out. Their friendships were a large part of his life.
Bill is survived by his wife Betty-Jo, and sons Marshall (Suzi), Mason (Sharon), and Parker (Kim), and grandchildren Amanda, Ryan, Mary, Marissa, and Eden, and his sister Sarah Hill.
During his final days on earth he was heard to say “all is well” when asked how he was doing. Those words embody the comfortable and positive persona that Bill carried with him wherever he went. Bill is deeply missed by his family and yet he left them with so many words and memories “all is well”.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, August 10th at 1:00 pm at the Mesa Verde United Methodist Church located in Costa Mesa. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice.