He entered Princeton from East Denver High School in the footsteps of his father, Judge Robert Steele ’13. Bill joined Tower Club but his Princeton career was interrupted by service as a bombardier-navigator with the 11th Air Force, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. During his service, he married Patricia White.
Returning to Princeton, Bill received his degree summa cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School in 1947 along with election to Phi Beta Kappa. Bill next received a law degree from the University of Colorado and entered practice in Denver. He joined his father-in-law, Lowell White, in forming White & Steele, which over the years became one of the most highly regarded litigation defense firms in Colorado.
Bill served as president of the Colorado Bar Association and the International Association of Defense Counsel. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the Defense Research Institute. Bill was very active in community service in the Denver area.
In addition to Patricia, Bill is survived by his children, Amy and Peter, and by three grandchildren, to all of whom the class expresses its sympathy.