Ronald "Ron" James Steel

On Monday, December 29, 2025, Ronald (Ron) James Steel passed away in Laurel, in the house he shared with his beloved wife, Nadine. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Mary Steel (Wright), and half-brother George (Melinda) Wright.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by half-brother Jack (Jacqueline) Wright; two daughters, Stacy (Tim) Compton and Holly (Brian) Linde; 5 grandchildren: Kade (Dova), Seth (Darby), Kendal (Hayden), Reagan (Andrew), and Tatum (Josiah); and 6 great-grandchildren: Karver, Cooper, Bodie, Tilly, Scottie, and Davis.

Though his family is grieved beyond words at their immense loss, they are grateful that he departed this life gently, passing from the arms of his wife and best friend of 63 years and into the arms of his Savior.

Ron was born on May 13, 1942, in Great Falls to Roy and Mary Steel (Wright). He graduated from Belt High School and attained a B.A. from Montana State University. In 7th grade, one of the two most important events of Ron’s life occurred: he met his future best friend and love of his life, Nadine. Though it took Ron until senior year of high school to pluck up the courage to ask her out, once he did, love quickly followed. They married on September 1, 1962, the beginning of a long and wonderful marriage, whose roots only grew deeper with every passing year. Before long, to their joy, they had two daughters, Stacy and Holly.

In their work, Ron and Nadine shared an adventurous, entrepreneurial spirit. After a few moves, they settled in Billings and started several successful business ventures together, including, among numerous others, Billings Construction Supply, Party Time Plus, and Steel Properties.

Ron was an avid adventurer and outdoorsman his entire life, spending nearly as much time in the great outdoors as he did inside. Hunting, fishing, skiing, swimming, snowmobiling, boating, backpacking, hiking, and driving his Jeep and four-wheelers: if there was an outdoor activity to do in Montana, Ron probably had a good story about it. For him, going to the mountains was going home.

Travel was another love of his, especially his trips with family to Alaska, Europe, and Israel. Hawaii was, perhaps, his favorite destination, where, together with Nadine, he could enjoy the mountains and ocean at the same time.

Shortly after moving to Billings in 1973, the second of the two most important events in Ron’s life took place: he and Nadine came to know the Lord and placed their faith in Jesus Christ at Trinity Baptist Church. That decision not only changed the course of their own lives, but would also have a profound impact on the lives of their future in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

2 Corinthians 12:9, one of Ron and Nadine’s favorite verses, reads: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” Ron aimed to be a good man. And so, he will be remembered as a great man, in whose weakness God’s grace and strength were made manifest.

Those who knew Ron best knew him to be a man of profound humility and faith, with a deeply forgiving heart. Whether dealing with family or strangers, in private or professional life, he maintained a spirit of gentleness and extended to all extraordinary generosity and welcome. Life was always an adventure, shared with many fellow travelers. We know that, were he still with us, he would be embarrassed by such praise and would attribute it all to Christ.

Ronald Steel was many things to many people: a beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and faithful friend. Each of these relationships bore rich and lasting fruit because they were built upon the deepest foundation of his life: his faith in God.

We will miss Gramps tremendously. He and Tutu were the family’s centers of gravity. Though our hearts break with grief, we draw comfort from the knowledge that someday, the same hands which have raised Ron to new life will wipe away all tears.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to LaVie or the Montana Rescue Mission.