William Steele

1950 - 2021

JONESBORO - William "Bill" Norris Steele, 71, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

Bill was born Feb. 2, 1950, to the Rev. Norris and Virginia Steele in Morrilton.

After graduating from Little Rock Central High School in 1968, he went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University, a master's in family counseling from Henderson State University and a master's in theology from Southern Methodist University.

After graduating from SMU, Bill began his life in the ministry by entering the Arkansas Methodist Conference. Bill served full time and part time for the Arkansas and Florida Methodist conferences for 43 years until he retired in July of 2017.

Bill always had a special place in his heart for youth. He was a counselor at the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch in Live Oak and a family counselor in Perry, Fla., during the time that he was serving in the Florida Methodist Conference part time.

Bill returned to full-time ministry in the fall of 2006 in Arkansas, until his retirement.

Bill Steele never met a stranger. He was a stubborn, kind, funny and very generous man.

He was not a saint, but he was a human being who tried to make this world a better place through random acts of kindness and sharing God's love wherever he went.

Bill loved listening to all kinds of music and enjoyed singing in the choir with his rich baritone voice.

He enjoyed shopping and finding all of the best deals, then sharing his "deals" with everyone around him.

If you were around Bill for more than five minutes and he didn't tell some kind of a joke, you began to wonder if he needed a ride to the hospital.

He was a supportive father, whose voice could be heard at sporting events above all of the other parents.

Above all other things in life, Bill enjoyed being in the company of friends and family. He loved to talk about their favorite pastimes and relished in the victories big and small that came along with life.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mary Steele, his parents, the Rev. Norris and Virginia Steele, and his sister, Allidel Whitwell.

He is survived by his daughters, Kim Steele and Amber Center, his brothers, David and Rodney Steele, his granddaughter, Bailey Center, and his favorite cousin, Keith Steele.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Marked Tree. Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila.

Online registry: www. howardfuneralservice.com