https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fresno-ca/william-steffen-11169523
William Steffen, of Rio Vista, California passed away in Stockton on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
Born in Fresno; raised in Kerman, Ca. Graduated from Kerman High School where he played sports and attended Fresno State on a softball scholarship.
Bill’s career included working for Signal Oil & Gas in oil production in Kerman and in 1967, he was transferred to Rio Vista where he worked in the gas fields until his retirement in 1985.
He served in the USAF for 4 yrs during the Korean War. It was
during that time that he met the love of his life, Merilyn Morris and together they were married from 1952 until her passing in 2014.
Bill and Merilyn enjoyed traveling with their 5th wheel to Oregon for 20 years and staying in Agness, Oregon along the Rogue River where Bill enjoyed fishing for Steelhead. Later they enjoyed spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona where they stayed in a mobile home park.
Following his retirement in 1985, Bill began playing Senior Softball in Rio Vista; and played for teams in Fairfield, Sacramento, Utah, and Arizona and at times played upwards of 8 games per week.
His interests included working in his yard where he grew pistachios, blackberries, tomatoes, oranges and almonds. He built a wood shop where he made various items including a pool table, a wooden boat, a Grandfather clock, a newborn oak cradle and dollhouse for his granddaughter.
He was active as an adult leader with the Rio Vista Sea Scouts for several years and assisted in renovating the Sea Scout Ship which enabled members to travel to the Bay Area and meet with other Sea Scouts.
He was a huge fan of the SF Giants and memorized the team stats each year.
Bill enjoyed remodeling several homes in Rio Vista and they became his rental properties for several years.
Bill is survived by his sister Joann of Bakersfield, daughter, Nancy Kinman of Rio Vista, Grandchildren Cheri Steffen of Shasta Lake, Mark Steffen of Hawaii, and Emily Kinman of Rio Vista; great grandchildren Kyrie and Tanner Jewett of Shasta Lake.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Merilyn, his sons Dennis and Donald; granddaughter Jennifer Munn, and his parents Martin and Wava Steffen of Kerman.
Bill was a member of Rio Vista Lodge Free & Accepted Masons and was a lifetime member of the NRA.
Bill enjoyed life to its fullest.
A viewing will be held on Thursday February 23, 2023 at CE Stewart Chapel in Rio Vista from 11am to 5pm.
A funeral will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Grace Pointe Church in Rio Vista with a light reception to follow.
A second funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel in Fresno at 1pm with burial at Belmont Memorial Park at a later time.
The family wants to thank the staff at Brookdale Kettleman Lane, Memory Unit in Lodi for the excellent care they gave Bill after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association; The Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Steffen family.