Obituary — Harold Eugene Steel

Harold Eugene Steel, 70, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 in Reno, Nevada at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System surrounded with family who traveled near and afar. Harold is survived by a wife, Shirley Steel (Williams), two children:  Amie Steel, and Marlo and her husband Dave Burns. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Tallia RaeAnn Jim, Hallie Rainah Jim, Zachery Frederick Burns, Karli Ann Burns, and great grandchild Rudy Stetson Jim. He was born January 2, 1949 to Bobby Bill Steel and Irene Elizabeth Blancett in Rogers, Texas. He grew up in Milano, Texas and was the “big brother” of three children (Rudy and Estalline). As a child, Harold enjoyed spending time with his grandfather Ray Miller and all of his aunts, uncles and cousins. After high school, he entered into the military. Harold served ten years in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. His rank was Staff Sargent/ Infantry Unit Leader.  He was a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, known to be the oldest military award, and the National Defense Service Medal. In addition, Harold received the Combat Action Ribbon for his active participation in ground/surface combat. While stationed at the Hawthorne, NV Army Ammunition Base he met his love of 50 years, educator, Shirley Williams. Later, Harold served as a Marine Corps recruiter in Houston, Texas.  His many accomplishments, aside from serving his country, included supervisory positions at Rawhide and FMC Gold mines, self-owned Steel Asphalt Paving, Excel Telecommunications, self- owned Lone Star Service Center in Schurz, NV, classified staff at Fernley Intermediate School, and Steel Farmers Insurance Agency. He later retired and made his home in Fernley, Nevada where he enjoyed watching his grandchildren in school/sporting events, deer hunting, camping, tinkering around the house and being with family.  Harold possessed obedience, proficiency, neatness and intelligence: all of which can be attributed to his successes. He was a humble man and those who knew him were quick to find his ability to lead, his strong work ethic, and supervisory skills; a man that all looked up to. His ability to convey information in few words made a strong impact on all that knew him.   He will be missed immensely by friends and family. During his final days and hours, Harold was surrounded by those who loved him and the time spent reconnecting will always remain a blessing. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 18th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista Dr. Fallon, NV 89406  775-423-2255. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 19th at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Fernley, NV at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial cemetery in Fernley with Military honors.         Sign up to receive updates and the Friday File email notices. Support local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your non-profit (501c3) online news source for all things Fallon.