William A. Steenbeke, 65, of Mishawaka, died Sunday July 30, 2017 at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. The Mishawaka native was born November 26, 1951 to Arthur & Augusta (DeWinter) Steenbeke. Bill attended St Joseph Elementary School, Marian High School, Northwood University (Institute) and IUSB, where he earned his BS in business and his Masters degree in Science & Education. He worked at the former White Farm (Olivers) and retired from Memorial Hospital in 1999 as an information broker and personal hospital assistive device in their resource center. He helped others track down equipment that would assist them with their special needs. He also worked in the local schools as a substitute teacher, which he absolutely loved. Bill was active with the River City Rollers in South Bend which was a wheelchair basketball competition. He had a lifelong love of football; he played at Marian High School and Northwood Institute until an accident ended his dreams of going professional. He still looked forward to every season, as he played (and sometimes won) his Fantasy Football league. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur Steenbeke, Rosemary Kamerer, Dorothy Varda and JoAnn Kloski. He is survived by the love of his life, Debbie (Claeys) Brenneman; his sisters, Pat Marsic of South Bend, Angela Weber of Mishawaka, Nancy (Dale) Dakins of Mishawaka; brothers, Joe (Gerri) Steenbeke in Florida, John (Linda) Steenbeke of Elkhart and Tom Steenbeke in Texas. Bill also leaves his extended family; Meredith (Rob) Revard in Ohio, Diane (Baron) Biedenweg of Angola, Becky Merriman of Mooresville, Linda (Mark) Claeys-Sevy of Granger, Harry Homeleski of Granger and many nieces & nephews and also great & great-great nieces & nephews. Bill inherited several fur & feather ‘babies” when Debbie moved back to Mishawaka to begin her journey with him. Among them were a parrot, a blind and crippled rabbit, Hannah his protector, Emma, his constant shadow and Zoe, the feral cat who picked him as her ‘human’, saving all of her love for him alone. Bill lived his life with enthusiasm, positivity and resilience. He was a sweet, kind soul who probably never knew how much of a shining example he was to those who knew & loved him. “No longer confined to your wheelchair, we know you are standing tall and walking with the angels…” Bill’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Roger Schiele, Lara Bethel and the entire nursing staff at Beacon Home Health Care; the therapists at Memorial Wound Care, the 9th floor staff at Memorial Hospital and the ICU. Funeral Services for Bill will be held at 10:00 Thursday August 3, 2017 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4-8pm in the funeral home. Interment in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be directed to Bill’s family, to assist with his medical expenses. To share a remembrance of Bill or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.chapelhillmemorial.com.