William Knott "Bill" Steppe

eppe passed away on Monday, March 1, 2010, in Klamath Falls surrounded by his family at the age of 89.
He was born on Aug. 25, 1920, in Bemidji, Minn., to James and Rose (Knott) Steppe.
The family, including his five brothers and one sister, moved to homestead in the Keno area when Bill was around the age of 5 and he spent the remainder of his life living in and around the Klamath Basin.
He was a proud military veteran, serving from Aug. 26, 1942, to Nov. 10, 1945, in the Army during World War II with the 726th Signal Company attached to the 4th Marine Division. He witnessed the raising of the American flag at Iwo Jima. Bill was a marksman and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, American Theater Service Medal and Asiatic Pacific Medal.
Bill loved being a cowboy from the time he was a young boy until his death. As a teenager, he long hauled livestock, and had countless stories to tell of the days he drove cattle horseback across Southern Oregon and Northern California. He worked at Klamath Gas Company for 20 years, was the manager at the Klamath County Fairgrounds for about 10 years, owned a restaurant called "House 'O Burger," owned a western store named "Bill Steppe's Western Wear & Tack" and ranched in Malin for several years. All the while, he helped numerous ranchers and individuals with their cowboy needs. Bill was also an inventor. He worked on various projects, including building trailers, portable panels, Billy Tops, Billy Belts and most recently The Nudge.
Bill's biggest passion always included a horse and moving some cattle. He began breaking horses at a young age and continued breaking them throughout his life. During his early rodeo days, he rode bucking horses and calf roped, and was especially proud of his PRCA bronc riding experience at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He loved team roping and branding. He was a member of the Klamath Roping Club from its inception until the day it was dissolved just one week before his passing. Though he'd ridden hundreds of horses, his favorite calf roping and team roping horse was named Sara. The pair competed all over the country from Winnemucca to Pendleton to Chowchilla and back. Sara was so fond of him that she would follow him around, practically in his back pocket. His most current horse, Billy Bob, was his faithful partner and they roped even up until the end.
Bill had a special gift with words, could easily make people laugh and always had a story. He adored and enjoyed spending time with his family and was always proud of his grandchildren's accomplishments. In recent years, he made annual trips south with daughter Jean and granddaughter Lisa to attend family reunions in Yuba City, Calif., and had frequent lunches with daughter Linda and granddaughter Kelly. He loved watching his great-grandchildren at their sports activities and dance recitals. Bill was always willing to share his knowledge of the "cowboy way" with anyone and took time to listen to what people had to say, no matter what walk of life they were from. His friend Dave Hamilton said "Anyone who was fortunate enough to have him touch their life was better off for it."
Bill is survived by his wife, Patty Steppe; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Dave Rogers of Wilsonville, Ore., and Linda and Mike Scott of Klamath Falls; four grandchildren, Lisa Rogers of Wilsonville, Brian Tejada of Corvallis, Ore., Michael and Tamara Tejada of Portland, Ore., and Kelly and Shane Taipin of Klamath Falls; three great-grandchildren, Noa Taipin, Kai Taipin and Kekoa Taipin of Klamath Falls; sister, Virginia Samson of Sutter, Calif., and her daughter, Laura Jones and son, Tom Samson; brother, Larry and Lorraine Steppe of Ukiah, Calif., and their daughter Jennie Rose Steppe and son, Verl Steppe; step-daughter and son-in-law, Nita and Jim La Loggia of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; four step-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind other nieces and nephews and numerous special friends of whom he had formed lifelong bonds.
He once said "I lived a millionaire's life on a beer budget. You couldn't buy all of the happy times and fun I've had." He loved people and loved his life. He blessed all who came into his life with memories to last an eternity. He will be dearly missed.
Contributions in Bill's memory may be made to the Basin Junior Rodeo Assn. c/o Becky Hirschbock, 5800 Airway Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97603.
A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held at the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 3, 2010, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. This will be a potluck so bring your favorite dish. Join us and bring your memories of Bill to share.