William Elwood Steckler

Who was William Elwood Steckler?

William Elwood Steckler was a United States federal judge.

Born in Mount Vernon, Indiana, Steckler received an LL.B. from Indiana University in 1936 and a J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1937. He was in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1937 to 1950. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve officer during World War II, in 1943. He was a member of the Marion County Election Board from 1946 to 1947, and of the Indiana State Election Board from 1947 to 1948. He was a public counselor of Indiana from 1949 to 1950.

On February 14, 1950, Steckler was nominated by President Harry S. Truman to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana vacated by Robert C. Baltzell. Steckler was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 4, 1950, and received his commission on April 7, 1950. Only 36 years old, Steckler was one of the youngest federal judges ever appointed. He served as chief judge from 1954 to 1982. He was also an adjunct faculty member of the Indiana University School of Law from 1975 to 1979. He assumed senior status on December 31, 1986, serving in that capacity until his death from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.