Retired Magistrate William Steele Passes Away

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Former Anderson County Magistrate William Steele has died at the age of 72.

Steele, who retired in 2010 after nearly 25 years on the bench, handled both civil and criminal cases in Anderson County Summary Court.

“He was the absolute epitome of a judge, and a man of excellent moral character,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “Men like that cannot be replaced. He will be missed.”

An Anderson native, Steele graduated from T.L. Hanna High School, attended Erskine College and earned a master's degree from the University of Georgia.

Stelle began his professional career as a reporter for the Aiken Standard newspaper and later wrote for the Rock Hill Herald and the State newspapers.

While working as a reporter, Steele attended to law school at the University of South Carolina, and was later nominated to the magistrate post by former S.C. Sen. T. Ed Garrison.

Born with a genetic skeletal disorder, which some doctors said would make him an invalid, he was dogged in his pursuit of his career and serving his community and church.

Family visitation is scheduled Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Sullivan-King Funerat Mortuary. Funeral services are set for Friday at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.