Federal Judge Bill Steger Dead at 85
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:28 amTYLER, Texas U-S District Judge William Merritt Steger has died at a Tyler hospital.
Steger died last night at age 85. His failing health had kept him from the courtroom for the past couple of months.
The World War Two veteran and former politician handled more than 15-thousand cases in 35 years on the federal bench, the Tyler Morning Telegraph reports.
Former law clerks and fellow judges praised Steger for his fairness and honesty.
Steger earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University.
President Eisenhower appointed him as a U-S attorney in 1953. After six years, he returned to private practice. He ran for governor in 1960 and received more than 600-thousand votes. He ran an unsuccessful race for Congress in 1962.
President Nixon appointed Steger to the federal bench in 1970.
Funeral services are pending with Burks Walter Tippit Funeral Home in Tyler.
Steger died last night at age 85. His failing health had kept him from the courtroom for the past couple of months.
The World War Two veteran and former politician handled more than 15-thousand cases in 35 years on the federal bench, the Tyler Morning Telegraph reports.
Former law clerks and fellow judges praised Steger for his fairness and honesty.
Steger earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University.
President Eisenhower appointed him as a U-S attorney in 1953. After six years, he returned to private practice. He ran for governor in 1960 and received more than 600-thousand votes. He ran an unsuccessful race for Congress in 1962.
President Nixon appointed Steger to the federal bench in 1970.
Funeral services are pending with Burks Walter Tippit Funeral Home in Tyler.