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Our Dad, husband and friend, William (Bill) Steckley, known to most as “Steck,” passed away peacefully the morning of Apr. 8, 2023.
He was always a morning person. He completed his Circle of Life on Easter weekend just shy of his 83rd birthday. Just as in life, he was surrounded by family and friends to the end.
He is survived by his wife Ana, his sons, Matt (Suzanna) and Adam, his step-daughter Kim (Brad) Greenleaf, his step-son Robbie Jones, his grandsons Noah and Kai Steckley and Denton Greenleaf, and a world full of cherished friends.
Born in Harrisburg, PA, Bill graduated from Susquehanna Township High School and Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. At Dickinson, he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, and was recognized for his athletic abilities in track and field, and his leadership as a member of the Ravens Claw Honorary Society.
Bill married his college sweetheart, Linda Goodridge, in 1963, and after his service in the U.S. Army, he and his former wife moved to Miami in 1965.
Bill loved Miami. Known for his enthusiasm for life, he was happiest when enjoying his three grandsons, photographing school portraits, spending time in South Miami, attending all things University of Miami, and driving and showing classic Volkswagens. He also had a passion for volunteering for non-profits, running and cycling, eating ice cream, taking naps, and playing with the family dogs.
For nearly 60 years, Bill Steckley was a fixture in South Florida. He started Steckley Photography in 1978 and photographed students in South Florida schools for more than 35 years. It is estimated that Bill photographed more than 450,000 students in his career, and in some cases, three generations of family members. His son, Matt, now runs Steckley Photography, carrying on his father’s legacy.
Bill met Ana through mutual friends in Miami and they married in 2001. Upon her retirement from federal service, Ana joined Bill at Steckley Photography. They enjoyed traveling together, particularly to VW car shows in the U.S. and Europe, and formed lifelong friendships during their travels and through years of community volunteering and non-profit fundraising in South Miami.
Steckley was a founding member of the Miami Volkswagen Club, The Palmetto Bugs, and a lead organizer of the annual car show and fundraiser, VolksBlast. Through his and the club’s efforts, they raised tens of thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations. Steckley also was a participant in the annual Junior Orange Bowl Parade, South Miami Christmas Parade, and the Coconut Grove King Mango Strut, driving his signature orange ’61 VW bus in the lineup of VW club members.
Steckley was a proud supporter of many non-profits including Blue Scholars Initiative, Center for Great Apes, and Habitat for Humanity. A huge baseball fan, he was a dedicated attendee of University of Miami Hurricanes games at Mark Light Field. His fondest baseball memories go back to the ’70s and early ’80s, while coaching his sons’ Little League teams.
In 2014, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Along with Ana’s dedicated support and constant care, Bill fought the disease for the next nine years and continued to make the most of his daily life. On Apr. 3, he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was hospitalized.
The Steckley family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Riviera Rehab Center for their attention and care. A celebration of Steck’s life will be held in May. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Blue Scholars Initiative (www.bluescholars.org).
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