William J. "Bill" Steil, 77, of Dodgeville, WI, and formerly of
East Dubuque, IL, passed away at 1:15 P/M, Saturday, August 10, 2013, at the home of his daughter, Laura Deimer, of Freeport, IL, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, Thursday, August 15, 2013, at St. Mary's Church, East Dubuque, IL, with Msgr. P. William McDonnell and Rev. Dean Smith concelebrating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery where military honors will be accorded by members of the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Friends may call from 4 P/M to 8 P/M, Wednesday, August 14, 2013, and after 9:30 A/M, Thursday, August 15, 2013, at the Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, IL, where the parish rosary will be recited at 3:45 P/M, Wednesday.

Bill was born on March 2, 1936, in Chicago, IL, the son of Walter F. and Ethel (Frommelt) Steil. He married Helen M. Cullen on June 17, 1961, at St. Mary's Church in East Dubuque. She preceded him in death on September 30, 2002.

He was a graduate of Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1954, and a veteran of the U. S. Army serving during the Korean War. Bill served the City of Dubuque as a police officer. He then was employed as a mettalurgist and welding supervisor at John Deere Dubuque Works until his retirement. He and Helen formerly lived in Potosi, WI, from 1970-1988. He and Helen were the co-owners of the former Country Christmas Tree Farm in rural East Dubuque. He was a member of St. Mary's Parish and its Holy Name Society, and the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers Association. Bill was a former member of the Dunleith Township Park Board.

Surviving are five children, Julie (Addison-Fulton) Witmer, of Blue Mounds, WI, Joseph (Tia) Steil, of Freeport, IL, James (Patty) Steil, of Dodgeville, WI, Laura (Rick) Diemer, of Freeport, IL, and Andrew (Lori) Steil, of Galena, IL; 17 Grandchildren, Lindsey Addison, Lauren (Travis) Mayne, Lia (Brett) Brodbeck, Jeffrey & Jacob Fulton, Kayla, Kasey, Korey & Kamryn Steil, Alexander, Thomas & Olivia Steil, Noah, Lucas, Abraham, Simon & Jonah Diemer; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Cullen & Ava Brodbeck, and Addison Mayne; 2 sisters, Joanne Schwarzhoff, of Davenport, IA, and Patricia Cullen-Spensley, of Dubuque, IA; In-Laws, Emmie Cullen, of Reno, NV, Lois (Tom) Hendricks, of Arcadia, FL, Jerry (Pat) Cullen, of Platteville, WI, Mary Ann (Jim) Reilly, of Shullsburg, WI, Geraldine "Jerry" Cullen, of Darlington, WI, William (Betty) Cullen, of The Villages, FL, Peg (Clete)Dalsing, and Bernell Busch, both of Dubuque, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, LaVonne Perrott, Mary Jane Busch, and Peg Saunders; and a daughter-in-law, Cyndi Steil.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to FHN Hospice, Freeport, IL.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.