Leon “Lee” Emory Hankins, 87, of Pottsville, died Thursday, March 15, 2012 at his home. He was born June 14, 1924 in Lamar the son of Emory and Bertha Hurt Hankins. Lee entered into the U.S. Navy Submarine Service Pacific Fleet November 19, 1942. He proudly served his country as a machinist during WWII aboard the USS S-41 and the USS Apollo until November 8, 1945. His love and devotion to God called him to become a Baptist preacher where he shared his passion and the word of God throughout many churches across Arkansas. Lee also loved education and learning many new things throughout his 87 years. He enjoyed working on automobiles and young people which he in turn combined into a 26 year career as an automobile instructor. He proceeded to mentor and mold young minds in the complex world of automotive operations, six years at the Foothills Vocational Center in Searcy and 20 years at the Area Vo-Tech Center in Russellville. Lee enjoyed life. He loved fishing and telling his tall fishing tales. He spent 8 years as an Engineer aboard a large tugboat that traveled up and down the Gulf and trips to Puerto Rico. He enjoyed good music and was often found singing a song or playing his harmonica. He greatly loved his family and many friends and he never missed a moment to leave them laughing with his crazy jokes and silly faces. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandfather, John Wesley Hankins; grandmother, Annie Hankins; and two brothers, John Hankins and Gene Hankins. He is survived by his wife, Reda; 6 sons and daughters-in-law, Butch and wife Carrie Parrish, Paul and wife Elizabeth Parrish, Robert and wife Wanda Hankins, Larry Hankins, Mike and wife Kim Parrish, and Charles and wife Sandy Parrish; 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Janet Hankins, Angie and husband Stewart Carlton, and Pam and husband Steve Hett; 3 brothers, Don Roy and wife Marilyn Hankins, Donald Ray and wife Linda Hankins, and Charles and wife DeeDee Hankins; 2 sisters, Lucille Hancock and Iva Mae and husband Fred McGuire; 25 grandchildren, Heather and husband Jerry Hoyle, Hunter Carlton, Amber Parrish, Magen and husband Bryan Jones, Leah and husband Dave McLain, Jessica and husband Doug Bronsink, Brianna Hett, Jared Hett, Dillian Hett, Chloe Hett, Logan Parrish, Lindsey Parrish, Steven Parrish, Chad Parrish, Christina Parrish, Sherry and husband Thomas Black, Shawn and wife Amanda Parrish, Jimmy Grice, Robert and wife Jennifer Scott, William and wife Tracey Scott, Jennifer and husband T.J. Williams, Cara and husband Tom Deck, Pamela and husband Chris Johnson, Larisa and husband Donald Dixon, and Thomas and wife Bridget Archer; 29 great-grandchildren, Lacie, T.J., Georgia, MarKallie and Mason Black, Jayden, Remmington, James Michael, Ashton and Yazmon Grice, Karina, Kayla and William Scott, Jr., Jessia Hamilton, Logan and Donald Beard, Joshua and Sarah Catherine Deck, Kaleb, Zebadiah, Elijah, Hannah and Chase Johnson, Peyton, Cadence and William Dixon, Cecilia and Colin Archer, Heith and Bryant Jones, Kymber Parrish, Emma Parrish, Trey, Chance and Alexis Parrish, and McKenzie and Hayden Parrish; and great-great-grandchild, Ashlynn Hamilton. Funeral services are 10:00 AM Monday, March 19 at Bible Baptist Church with Rev. Stephen Hett officiating. Burial is in Pisgah Cemetery by Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. Visitation is from 3:00-5:00 PM Sunday at Lemley Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers are Jared Hett, Dillian Hett, Jimmy Grice, Ed Shaddon, Sherman Yancy, Dennis Henderson and Jerry Hoyle. Honorary pallbearers are the grandsons.