Billy Joe Steele, 69, of East Palatka, passed from this life on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at UF Health in Gainesville. 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, Cuba Steele. Services celebrating Billy’s life will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the College Road Church of Christ with Bro. C.L. Overturf, Jr. and Bro. Chuck Blocker officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00. Additional services will be held Saturday at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home in Murray, Kentucky with burial to follow at Friendship Church of Christ Cemetery in Murray with military honors provided by the U.S. Air Force. 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. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Billy’s Book of Memories page at www.JohnsonOverturffunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.