Kenneth E. Steele, 84, of Scott Depot, was born Feb. 18, 1922 and was raised in Dunbar where he met and married the love of his life, Louise. He served in the US Army during WW II as a military policeman and then as a radiologist technician. He retired from Rollyson Motors and Joe Holland Chevrolet. After retirement, he and Louise owned and operated a day care in their home. For the last five years, he and Louise have lived with their daughters in Scott Depot, where he attended to his ill wife's every need, rarely leaving her side. During this time, he wrote love songs for her and would often say "I feel lonely for her just if I leave the room."

Known as the "man of steel" with a gentle heart, he charmed the world with his intellect, wit and beautiful singing. Having sung at many weddings, funerals and churches, at the age of 84 his voice was not abated.

He attended Maranatha Fellowship which he loved and was greatly loved in return by the church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James Floyd and Hazel Steele and a brother, Carlett Steele.

Mr. Steele is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Louise Legg Steele. Also surviving are sons, Ken Steele, Jr. and his wife, Della of Hope Mills, NC, Keith Steele and his wife, Judy of Sevierville, TN, Cameron Steele and his wife, Lori of Concord, NC; daughters, Debbie Petry and Dot Sheely of Scott Depot; sisters, Opal Mallett of Dunbar, Betty Shepherd of Ripley, Mary Glendall Welch of Marrieta, OH; brothers, Ralph Steele of Dunbar, Carroll Steele of Goldsboro, NC; four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving are a host of children who called him "Pawpaw" and two very special friends whom he called "sons," Julius Gardner and William Willis. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, his dog, "China," and his talking cat, Kissy.

Please come and join us to celebrate a life well lived. The visitation will be at the Maranatha Fellowship, St. Albans, on Monday, Sept. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the church at 11 a.m. Burial with military rites will follow in Grandview Memorial Park.

Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at info@kellerfuneralhome.net.