BENTON — Austin Leon Steele,

81, of Benton, Ark., passed away on April 13th, 2023. Leon was born on January 20, 1942, to Samuel and Pearl Bolinger Steele at Wharton Creek, Ark.

After graduating from Huntsville High School, he attended the University of Arkansas and went on numerous adventures. While working for Winthrop Rockefeller, he met Janie Haley in Fayetteville, Ark., and they were married in September of 1967.

In 1968-69 Leon served as a US Army sergeant in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. Upon returning from Vietnam, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and shortly thereafter began the start of a 22-year career at the US Department of Agriculture. In 1972, he and Janie had their only child, Haley.

After retiring from the USDA, Leon pursued his favorite hobbies such as golf and fishing but also followed his strong faith to become a minister for the Community Church of God in Benton, a nondenominational congregation. He was a strong believer in sharing the gospel and serving others throughout his life. He very much loved and was loved by his family.

Leon was predeceased by his parents, Samuel Webster and Pearl Bolinger Steele, and two brothers, Dwight Steele and Dwayne Steele. He is survived by his wife, Janie Steele; their daughter, Haley Steele, and her fiancé, Richard Henry; one sister, Helen Steele Tait; and one brother and sister-in-law, Samuel Arthur and Lou Steele; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Steele Cemetery with David Standridge, Cecil Kraft, and Haley Steele officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Henry, Stacy Tait, Layne Tait, Rocky Tait, Doug Steele, and Cecil Kraft. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.