Huel Dean Steelman

Funeral service for Huel Dean Steelman 92, of Gilmer will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, March 23 2019 at Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Charles Johnson and Bro. Mike Kessler officiating, and interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gilmer. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, March 22, 2019 at Croley Funeral Home. Mr. Steelman passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at his home in Gilmer.

Huel Dean was born May 19, 1926, in Rosewood to Will and Grace Lantrip Steelman, He attended school at Latch, Little Mound, and Harmony. In 1944, he joined the Army Air Corps and served as a gunner on a B-17.

After the war, he worked for a short time in Dallas before returning to Gilmer and going to work for St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company (Cotton Belt Railroad). He worked as a telegraph operator for the railroad for almost 40 years.

In 1959, he married Nora Elizabeth Dugger in Gilmer. After retirement, they were about to travel to all 50 states and several provinces in Canada. He enjoyed being with family and watching John Wayne movies. He was also a member of the Frist Baptist Church in Gilmer and Bethesda Masonic Lodge #142 A.F. & A.M.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Nora Steelman and his parents; a brother, Billy Steelman; and sister, Betty Preston.

He is survived by sons, Jerry Dugger and wife, Stacia of Gilmer, Jimmy Dugger and wife, Angi of Tyler; and daughter, Janice Dugger of Gilmer; grandchildren, Stacy Bowden and husband, Chris of Gilmer, Tracy Leach and husband, Clint of Gilmer, Shelby Brooks and husband, Jason of Whitehouse, Erin Mace and husband, Jeff of New Braunfels, Missy Walker and husband, Scott of Terlingua, and Sammy Horner of Gilmer; great grandchildren, Kyle Bowden and wife, Kate of Gilmer, Alli Leach of The Colony, Emily Leach and Kylie Leach of Gilmer, Camille Dworaczyk, Erica and Emma Brooks all of Whitehouse, Sydney Mace of New Braunfels, Samantha Horner of Stillwater, OK; great great grandchildren, Hadley and Bodie Bowden of Gilmer; sister, Patsy Swanner of Gilmer; and numerous nieces and nephews.