Billy Joe Steele

Billy Joe Steele, 69, of East Palatka, Florida passed from this life on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at UF Health in Gainesville Florida.

Born in Murray, Kentucky, Billy served 7 years in the U.S. Air Force in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. He attended Freed-Hardeman College and graduated with his Bachelor's Degree from Oklahoma Christian University. Billy was bi-vocational and had been a Gospel Minister for 45 years having preached at congregations in Kentucky, Michigan, Colorado, Indiana and Florida. He had worked in hardware stores and was also a gifted handyman at plumbing, carpentry and electrical work. In his leisure, Billy enjoyed photographing family and flowers as well as collecting 1947 model cars. Billy and his wife Carole moved to Putnam County in 2015 from Mentone, Indiana. He was a member of the College Road Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John M. Steele and Nancy Donelson Steele.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Carole J. Steele of East Palatka, a daughter, Jeannie Sidibe of Woodland Hills, CA, a son, James Steele of East Palatka, 3 sisters, Barbara Price (E.J.) of Hazel Park, MI, Loretta Jarboe (Don) of Symsonia, KY and Gail Burkett (Gunter) of Murray, KY and a grandchild, Kuba Steele.

Services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home, Charles Taylor, Jimmy McNeese, and James Steele will officiate. The Burial will take place in the Friendship Church of Christ Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home.

Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be sent to the Mount Dora Children's Home, 301 W. 13th St., Mt Dora, FL 32757.

Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfuneralhome.com