George Wilson Steele

STEELE, George Wilson, 82, of Glen Allen, VA, went to be with the Lord on February 25^th, 2026. George was born on February 1^st, 1944, son of the late James H. and Anne S. Steele of Sandston, Virginia. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Carol Talbott Steele; his brother, James (Jim) H. Steele, Jr.; and son, Brian D. Steele. He is survived by his daughter, Michele Steele Charnock (Rondell); sons, Jonathan (Jon) W. Steele (Taresa), and James H. Steele, III (Rebecca); beloved grandchildren, Rebecca, Madison, Christian, Taylor, Kaitlyn, and David; and his cat Rufus.

He graduated from Highland Springs High School in 1962 and from Virginia Tech in 1975 with a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering. During his 25+ year career with the Reynolds Metals Company, he became well-known for his specialized work in aluminum alloys, specifically the development of aluminum-lithium, which was later used by NASA on the space shuttle. After retiring from Reynolds, he went on to work for Newport News Shipbuilding with U.S. Navy where he applied his aluminum expertise to help lighten aircraft carriers.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He always treated friends like family. He was a die-hard Hokie, avidly following their football and basketball teams. Professionally, he was known as an engineer; however, to those closest to him, he was known more as a mechanical wizard. He was a self-taught mechanic, electrician, plumber, carpenter, and pretty much anything else that needed to be done around the house or garage. He could pull a motor, rebuild it, and put it all back together. He could read electrical diagrams. He even drove a race car for a few years traveling around Virginia and North Carolina with the Rolling Thunder Modified Series.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. We thank God for blessing us with his life and know he is at home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his wife Carol, his son Brian, and all his family and friends that went before him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. To donate online, go to https://www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.html. To donate by phone or mail, go to https://www.cancer.org/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html or call 1-800-227-2345.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 6704
Hagerstown, MD 21741

A Celebration of Life will follow at a later date…