William M. Steele Jr., of Columbus, North Carolina, died July 19 at his home at Tryon Estates. He was 86 years old.

Bill was born Nov. 13, 1931, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Claire M. and William M. Steele Sr. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1949 and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1954.

After graduation, he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving in France, then worked as an engineer and executive for York Corp. (now BorgWarner), in York, Pennsylvania, and Tecumseh Products in Tecumseh, Michigan. He was president of Kelvinator in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Americold in Cullman, Alabama, and was a registered professional engineer.

While in Cullman, Bill opened Spring Crest Draperies, co-owned and operated by his wife, Kaye. Bill later worked for the federal GSA in Birmingham, Alabama, before retiring to North Carolina.

Bill loved to travel and visited all 50 states with Kaye. He enjoyed camping, sailing, fixing and building things, and exploring everything about computers. He never stopped learning.

Bill was predeceased by a son, Darryl.

He is survived by Kaye, his wife of 63 years; his son, Bruce and Bruce’s husband, Christopher Oakley, of Fairview, North Carolina; daughter, Teresa Cargile, of Huntsville, Alabama; grandson, Ryan Kim, of New York City; and brother Donald, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Tryon Estates, Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill’s honor to the chapel fund at Tryon Estates.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Tryon