OBITUARY

Willett Ward Steenson, mayor of Carrollton from 1976 to 1980, died at his home on Thursday, Feb. 8, 1990.
He was 68 years old. The cause of death has not been determined.
Mr. Steenson served the city in an official capacity for about 20 years, current Carrollton Mayor Milburn Gravley said Mr. Steenson also worked for the city through his affiliation with the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce and at the First Christian Church of Carrollton, he said.
"He was just always pro-Carrollton," Gravley said. "There was nothing that he ever said or did or tried to do that wasn't to attempt to improve the city and the people that he loved."
Gravley, who knew Mr. Steenson for close to 30 years, said he always went out of his way to help others.
"Ward was one who couldn't say no if it was something he thought he could do to improve a situation," Gravley said.
Bill Blanton, another longtime friend, also noted Mr. Steenson's hard work in Carrollton.
"He's been one of the longest-time public servants in this town and he's given many years of his life in that service as mayor, city councilman and in many other capacities too numerous to mention," Blanton said.
Mr. Steenson retired in 1984 from his position as aircraft maintenance supervisor wit Braniff Airlines after working there for 35 years. But even before his retirement, he was busy with trying to improve Carrollton.
In addition to serving as mayor, Mr. Steenson w as a councilman from 1955 to 1976, served on the board of directors for the Metrocrest Office on Aging, was a member of Plano Masonic Lodge No. 768 and was a charter member of Carrollton Masonic Lodge No. 1400, serving as worshipful master, the highest position, from 1971 to 1972.
Mr. Steenson also was a member of the Dallas Scottish Rite Freemasonry, the Hella Temple

40-year pin from the Carrollton lodge, on Jan. 25. And he was named the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year" in 1979.
"Nobody would ever speak a bad word about Ward - he's just the kind of person that everybody liked and everybody trusted," Blanton said.
Gravley, who characterized Mr. Steenson as "A good guy." said his death will leave an empty place in the city.
He'll be missed. He was a very quiet person we would give you the shirt off his back without any problem," Gravley said.
Mr. Steenson is survived by his wife, Joe Steenson of Carrollton; sons Donald Gary Steenson and Stephen Jay Steenson, both of Carrollton, and a brother, J. J. Steenson of Panama City, Fla.
Metrocrest Funeral Home directed funeral services on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Fist Christian Church of Carrollton with Rev. Clay Boyer officiating. A Masonic graveside ceremony followed at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas.
Pallbearers were retired Braniff employees Don VanCleve, Fred Symmank, J. L. Tresenriter, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur H. Peterson, Ed Baker and Ben Brand. Honorary pallbearers were the Carrollton Masonic Lodge No. 1400. Peters Colony Shrine Club and past and present Carrollton city officials .

Submitted by Betty Lou (Stanley) Dennis