Willie D. Steele, 74, died August 8, 2011 at the Merrimack Community Hospice House in Merrimack following a long illness.
He was born in Leland, Mississippi on January 3, 1937 and was the son of Willie and Oria (Cotton) Steele.
He was educated in local Mississippi schools and later graduated from the Nathaniel Hawthorne Business College in 1981. He entered the US Army in 1956 and became an Army Medic. After his two tours in Vietnam, he began recruiting for the Army until his retirement from the service. He also worked 20 years for the United States Post Office and worked as a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Bailiff for over six years.
He was the President of the Amoskeag Lions Club, an active member of the Elks Club and a member of the First Baptist Church.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching all sports, playing cribbage and fishing. He was a loyal member of the VFW and the Sweeny Post, where he played in the pool league.
Members of his family include his beloved wife of 53 years Mary (Prince) Steele, two sons, David Steele of Manchester; Carl Steele of Bedford NH; two daughters, Oria Steele of Bedford; Jackie Steele Driscoll of Derry NH; 9 grandchildren, three sisters, Linda Carpenter, Gloria Harris both of Indiana; Caroline Joyner of Ohio and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery Chapel on Thursday, August 11, 2011. Burial followed in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery 110 Daniel Webster Highway Boscawen New Hampshire.
