William "Bill" John Steffes' Obituary
William “Bill” John Steffes passed away on September 4, 2025, just 4 days short of his 90th birthday. He liked to brag he was almost 90 years old, and now he will forever be able to brag about it in heaven.
Bill was born in Ewoldt Township, Iowa to Leo Henry and Elizabeth Alice (Hoffman) Steffes on September 8, 1935. He grew up on a farm near Canute, Oklahoma with his seven sisters and six brothers. He attended Saint Francis School and graduated from Holy Family High School. He was a talented baseball pitcher and was recruited by the University of Oklahoma’s baseball team. OU offered him a full scholarship, but he was unable to attend because of family obligations.
In 1966, Bill met LaWanda Thompson at a bowling alley in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma, and it was love at first sight. They were married 6 weeks later. A few years later they had their only child, a daughter, they named Stacey Lynne.
He said LaWanda, who he called Mother, and Stacey, were his most precious things. He lovingly protected and took care of them. When Mother became ill with lung a disease in 1999, he retired, sold his fishing pond and cattle and devoted his time to taking care of her. In 2018 he asked Stacey to come to help him. He said the most important thing was taking care of Mother and together they cared for her until she passed away in December 2024. When Stacey decided as a small child, she wanted to go to the University of Oklahoma, where he couldn’t attend, he made sure that she got to attend and graduate.
Bill loved fishing, raising cattle, Ford Mustangs, baseball, going to the lake, vacationing in Galveston, and he was an OU Fan. He worked in management for grocery stores for 45 years including 35 years for Safeway.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of almost 59 years, LaWanda, as well as nine siblings Donald Steffes, Anita Hoffman, Leo Steffes, Leona Schones, Gerald Steffes, Geneva Waller, Dolores Simons, Betty Lindsey, and Bernard Steffes.
He is survived by his daughter, Stacey Steffes, and four siblings Cornelia Gelnar, Leon Steffes, Bobby Steffes and Mary Ann Gunter as well as numerous relatives and friends.
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