Rock Hill, SC - Steven Gaston Locke died on June 4, 2026, at the age of 58. He was the son of Nancy Gaston Locke and William Calhoun Locke Sr., and the youngest of seven children. He was, by his mother’s account, her favorite child and the most beautiful baby she had ever seen.

To know Steve was often to be entertained. He could fill a room with laughter, make friends with nearly anyone, and turn an ordinary evening into a memorable story. For many years, he was the life of the party—the person people looked for when they wanted company, conversation, or a reason to stay a little longer.

Steve never met a stranger or a story he didn't like. A born storyteller, he could turn even the most ordinary event into an unforgettable tale. His stories grew more colorful with each retelling and weren't always suitable for polite company, but they were almost always funny. More than once, family members found themselves saying, "Steve, you can't tell that one here," which only seemed to encourage him.

Steve was never particularly politically correct, and he had little interest in filtering his thoughts for the comfort of others. He was always dressed to the nines, often covered in jewelry, and carried himself with a boldness that matched his personality. He lived life on his own terms, for better and for worse, and rarely met a rule he didn't think could be bent.

He loved to tinker with tools and create unconventional inventions. He enjoyed gardening, driving fast cars, riding motorcycles, and visiting the local dump in search of hidden treasures. He had a knack for seeing value where others saw junk and finding adventure in the most ordinary places. He enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Like many lives, however, his was complicated.

Steve struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life. It was a battle that affected his health, his relationships, and at times his ability to recognize how deeply he was loved. Though addiction became part of his story, it was never the whole story.

He was also a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a brother. He could be the most charming, charismatic, and confident man in the room while also being stubborn and unwilling to make the changes needed to seek help. Those who knew him best remember not only his struggles but also his humor, his loyalty, and the moments when his best qualities shone through.

While his passing was quiet, his life was not. He leaves behind memories, stories, and people whose lives were changed by having known him.

Memorial services will be held at Bass Cauthen Funeral Home, located in Rock Hill, SC, on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 5pm. The family will receive friends following the service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Calhoun Locke Sr. and Nancy Gaston Locke, and by his brother, Ernest Locke.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Ashley Childers, and son-in-law, Zach Childers; his grandchildren, Claire, Sadie, Stella, Aiden, Noland, and Colson Childers; his siblings, Bill (Barbara) Locke of Miami; sister-in-law Diane Locke of Anderson; Donnie (Glenda) Locke of Raleigh; Ronnie (Meg) Locke of Rock Hill; Linda (Jimmy) Quinn of Matthews; and Glenda Locke (Gene) of Concord.

He is also survived by his longtime girlfriend, Angie Brock of Rock Hill, and many cherished friends whom he considered family, including his best friend since childhood, Scott “Squim” Marshall.

In remembering Steve, we acknowledge both the joy he brought and the challenges he faced. We hope he has found the peace that sometimes eluded him in life.

May he be remembered in full—not for the circumstances of his death, nor solely for the difficulties he endured, but as a man who could make people laugh, fix almost anything, and leave behind stories that will be told for years to come.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to York County 4-H Program, 120 North Congress Street, York SC 29745.

Bass Cauthen Funeral Home is serving the family.