William Frederick Steers Jr.

Published 3:24 pm Tuesday, July 1, 2014

August 22, 1928 – June 18, 2014

William Frederick Steers Jr. was born to William Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Harrison) Steers on August 22, 1928 in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating form Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. William attended the University of Kentucky and earned a Bachelors degree in Forestry from Michigan State University.

He then entered the United States Army. While in basic training he met Frances Harrell in Dunn, North Carolina. They were married just prior to William’s being stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.

Following military service William worked for the United States Forest Service in Lakeview and Silverlake, Oregon. In 1956 he began work at Gilchrist Timber Company and worked there until he retired in 1994. During this time William became a woods superintendent and helped to develop sustained yield forestry practices.

Following retirement William moved to Silverton. He then for 12 years served as a “Grandfather” of the Silverton girls basketball team and was inducted into the Silverton High School Athletic Hall of Fame. William also served on the Silverton City Planning Commission and the Silver Falls School Board.

His enjoyments included his grandchildren, carving ducks and doing landscape work.

William was preceded in death by his wife Frances on January 3, 2014. He is survived by sons James Seldon Steers of Springfield, Oregon, Thomas Ray Steers of Silverton, Oregon, William Frederick Steers III of Wesley Chapel, Florida and Richard Julius Steers of Seattle, Washington. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Family services will be held in the forest at a later date. Unger Funeral Chapel is serving the family.