Billie Frank Steele

Billie Frank Steele of Ozark, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away September 17th, 2014 at Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas surrounded by her loving family. Billie was born December 20, 1939 to Sam and Velma Leaver of Webb City, Arkansas. She graduated from Ozark High School with the class of 1957. Billie married her childhood sweetheart Raymond Steele of Mulberry, Arkansas April 7, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Ozark with Pastor Charles McDonald, Jr. officiating. Billie was a licensed beautician and a long-time associate at Walmart home office in Bentonville, Arkansas. She knew Sam Walton on a personal level. She went on to retire from the Walmart General Office to travel with her husband on long RV trips to Alaska and Key West and everywhere in between. Her greatest love and joy was spending time with her four kids, eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren and being with her soul-mate of 56 years, her husband. She loved her family with all of her heart and enjoyed being with her friends, taking long vacation trips. Billie and her husband have visited all fifty states and many countries. She enjoyed raising baby wild animals and releasing them; watching the Razorbacks play; Elvis singing; 50’s music; her pet Yorkie; eating at special places; taking drives in the country to appreciate nature’s beauty; and helping her family or friends anyway she could. She was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Velma Leaver; a brother Junior Leaver of Ozark; a sister Nina Carsten of Afton, Oklahoma; and granddaughter Kaitlyn Nicole Breslau of Fayetteville, Arkansas. She is survived by her husband Raymond of Ozark; four children all of Northwest Arkansas, daughter Sheree Steele, daughter Kerri and her husband Jay Breslau, daughter Vicki and husband Elmer Martin, and son Raymond Jeffrey Steele and wife Michelle; four sisters all of California, Christine Riggs, Norlene Whitson, Betty Sue Inman and Audie Ellen Wallace; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. She was a very classy lady and is dearly loved by her family. God surely must have a special place for our beloved Billie. Billie valiantly battled breast cancer for thirteen years; during this time she never gave up hope and continued to live life to the fullest. Her will to live and be with her family was unbelievable, but ultimately she was called home to The Lord. A private celebration of her life was held for Billie with family. Cremation arrangements were made under direction of Shaffer Funeral Home of Ozark, and burial will be at the New Cemetery in Mulberry, Arkansas at a later date. The family requests in lieu of flowers that Billie’s Legacy of Love be continued by hugging your family. All prayers for the family at this time would be appreciated.

Billie Frank Steele

December 20, 1939 - September 17, 2014