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William R (Bill/Billy) Steele, 73, a resident of Hancock, passed away March 6, 2026 surrounded by family, at Froedtert Hospital, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, after a brief illness.
He was born on November 13, 1952, in Edinburg, Scotland, a son of William (Bill) and Margaret Steele. William (Bill) Steele Sr. immigrated to Canada in 1953 and the family joined him in March of 1954, settling in Scarborough, Ontario.
Bill graduated Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute (high School), in Scarborough with the class of 1971. He started playing hockey at the age of 7, in the Wexford House Hockey League. He spent countless hours skating outdoors at Churchill Heights in Scarborough. Bill was a quick study and developed a lifelong passion for the game. He played for the Toronto Red Wings (AAA) in juniors and for the Aurora Tigers Minors. He also played Football and Rugby for Cedarbrae.
Upon graduation, he was accepted as a student and varsity hockey player at Michigan Technological University. Bill starred on the ice from 1971-75, helping the Huskies to a WCHA title in 1974 and a NCAA national championship in 1975. A key player on the Michigan Tech Husky hockey team, Bill was a standout right winger and served as assistant captain on the championship team. Bill was inducted into the MTU Athletics Hall of Fame on October 12, 2012. The 1974-75 hockey team was inducted into the HOF on October 29, 2016 and celebrated the 50 year anniversary of that accomplishment on October 25, 2025 at the Student Ice Arena. Bill earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and graduated in 1975.
Bill furthered his career in professional hockey with the Cincinnati Stingers in the World Hockey League. He retired from the game in 1978 and moved back to Hancock, MI joining Detroit & Northern Savings and Loan to begin his career in the “business world”. Bill’s career in Human Resources focused on training and counselling employees in the Corporate Office. While living in the Copper County, he was a member of and President of the Hancock Rotary Club and the 1st hockey coach for the Lake Linden hockey team. He then became the Vice President for the U.P. Regional Branch Offices and later moved to Grand Rapids, MI to open the first D&N branch bank office in the West Michigan area.
Bill left the banking business and worked in Human Resources for Medtronic, a medical equipment manufacturer in Grand Rapids, MI where he developed expertise in the area of cardiology, and patient care. After Medtronic closed it’s facility in Grand Rapids, Bill moved to Chicago and joined Devon Bank in training and later assumed the Head of HR for the bank. Bill returned to Michigan Tech and served as its director of athletic development from 2001-2005, where he oversaw the rebirth of the football program.
Bill’s passion for hockey was a life long pursuit, playing in Men’s leagues in Houghton/Hancock and Grand Rapids. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan/owner. He was an avid golfer, golf memorabilia collector, soccer fan and is proud to be an Overseas Member of the Golf Club at St. Andrews, Scotland since 2001.
He was skilled in carpentry, electrical work and was known for his ability to produce lovely oil paintings. A skilled chef, Bill could create marvelous dishes on the fly.
Bill is survived by his parents, Bill and Margaret, his sister Sandra Bourne (Jeff), his brother, John; son, Kelly, daughters; Jessica and Sarah; nieces and nephews.
Bill’s list of friends (known as “father Bill” to some) and acquaintances is exceptionally long and all will remember him as a superb athlete and a kind, caring and patient life coach.
The family would like to express their appreciation to: the staff at UP Health System-Portage, Hancock, the staff at Intersect Healthcare, Hancock, the staff at UP Health System-Marquette, and the Staff at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, WI, a truly special place where Bill was comforted by their kindness and sympathy.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for Bill will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 12 Noon at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock with Rev. Father Corey Litzner officiating. There will be a visitation for an hour before the service at the church. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests the memorial donations be sent to the Michigan Tech Hockey Endowment Fund Account 4030.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home, Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements. To send condolences to Bill’s family and friends, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
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