Oakland Tribune 2 - fair useWilliam Samuel "Willie" Steele (July 14, 1923 – September 19, 1989) was an Olympic athlete and later a director at de Fremery Recreation Center.

Steele served as a private in WWII.

Steele won the Gold medal in the long jump at the 1948 London Olympics. 1 He began working at the de Fremery Recreation Center in 1954 2, and he served as a director in the City Parks and Recreation department.

According to 1954 Oakland Tribune articles, Steele came to Oakland in 1954 to work at de Fremery, and had worked for the 6 years before that for San Diego parks and rec. 2 He had the top score on the civil service exam for full time recreation director. 3

Death and Burial

Steele retired in 1988, and died in 1989 after a battle with cancer. He is buried in the San Francisco National Cemetery.

Links and References

  1. Willie Steele on Wikipedia
  2. New Coaching Era Ahead for Track Oakland Tribune April 28, 1954
  3. Willie Steele Set For Post Here Oakland Tribune April 9, 1954
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