Steven William Kimble, age 73, of Belleville, Ill., born January 26, 1949, in New Orleans, La., to William Aitken Kimble and Lynn Kimble, nee Freeman, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at his home in Belleville, Ill.

Steve "Gator" grew up in Metairie, La., a suburb of New Orleans. On graduating from college in 1971, he entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at several locations in the U.S., the last being Scott Air Force Basw near O'Fallon, Ill.  He has lived in this area since receiving the assignment to Scott AFB. Steve's lifelong interests included photography, scuba diving, vintage cars, singing and playing guitar, and, in recent years, karaoke.  Some of Steve's favorite times were celebrating Fourth of July holidays - hosting crawfish boils, bonfires on the beach and fireworks in Pass Christian, Miss., with extended family.

He graduated from St. Martin's High School in Metairie in 1967. He received a B.S. in engineering from Tulane University, New Orleans, in 1971, followed by a masters degree from the University of Kansas. He excelled academically in all phases of his education.

Steve rose to the rank of major in the Air Force and served with distinction as a computer programmer and specialist, including assignments in Strategic Air Command.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, John Graham Kimble.

He is survived by two daughters, Wendy Kimble and Heather Saunders (Jeff), his sister, Linda Powell (Jim), his brother, William F. Kimble (Alison), sister-in-law Pat Kimble, and two grandchildren, Branson Saunders and John Saunders.

The family asks that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Belleville Area Humane Society (1301 11 ^th St., Belleville, IL 62224, 618 236-3712) or The Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon.  A funeral service will follow at 4:30 pm, at the funeral home. Attendees are invited to share brief recollections of Steve/Gator at that time.