Will Steele

William (Will) Joseph Steele, 84, former Chief Deputy of the Coconino County Sheriff¿½s Department, passed away July 20, 2010 at his home in Cornville with his family at his side. Will was born on Aug. 23, 1925 at one of the Babbitt family cottages in Flagstaff, Arizona. His father William Christy Steele, and his mother, Minnie L. Farley, moved to Sedona just prior to Will¿½s birth, although Will¿½s grandparents had originally settled in Sedona in 1905, where his family farmed for a living. A graduate of Flagstaff High School, Will served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. During Will¿½s military duty, his father became the first deputy sheriff of Sedona. Upon William Christy Steele¿½s death in 1951, and at the behest of Sedona residents, former Coconino County Sheriff Perry Francis gave Will the position. In 1970, Will became Chief Deputy under Coconino County Sheriff Joe Richards and served with distinction in that position until his retirement in 1982. Survivors include his wife 60 years, Dorothy Louise Birch, his three sons, William Britt (Marlene) of Alpine, Texas; Kelly Joseph (Wanda), of Scottsdale, Arizona: and Wade Christy (Sandra) of Nampa, Idaho; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Raymond James Steele of Prescott, Arizona. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 27 at the Mountain View United Methodist Church, 901 S. 12th St., Cottonwood. Former Sheriff Joe Richards will give the eulogy. Donations in Will Steele¿½s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, Yavapai County Division. Please call 800-227-2345.