William Frank  "Haney" Counts, age 82 years, 4 months and 30 days, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla. He was born April 9, 1944 at Keysville, MO to Arthur Lee Counts, Sr. and Eula Juanita Eaton Counts. He was united in marriage to Darlene Boyd and to this union, a daughter, Kimberly was born.  After Darlene's passing, he later married Connie Santhuff on January 28, 1989.

Haney was a 1961 Steelville graduate. He went on to honorably serve his country in the U.S. Navy until 1965.

He was successfully employed thru the years at Pea Ridge Mines, as an over-the-road truck driver, a dump truck driver, and then worked several years for West Asphalt as a driver and plant supervisor.

During his employment years with West Asphalt, he and his father-in-law owned and operated S & C Trucking, a successful dump trucking company.

Haney was a talented welder and mechanic who had the knack to be able to build and repair just about anything.

In his spare time, he enjoyed watching NASCAR, building wagons for teams of horses and mules, deer hunting, and running his fox hounds. "Haney's Fox Pen" was a very popular spot for many locals to bring their hounds to run. He was a long-time member of the Crawford County Fox Hunters Association.

Haney had a very unique personality. He never met a stranger. He considered everyone his friend. He was kind and compassionate with a wonderful sense of humor.

His love for his family was immeasurable. He took great pride in every moment he spent with them.

To sum it all up…those who knew Haney, loved Haney.

He was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Sidney and Wilma Boyd and Bob and Lelah Santhuff; brothers, Gary (Joyce) Counts, Tom (Priss) Counts, Earl (Ermalee) Counts and Lee (Mary) Counts; sister, Wilma Mae (Everett) Williams; and brother-in-law, Jim Boyd.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Connie Counts of Steelville, MO; daughter, Kimberly Wallen of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law, Laura Counts of Paris, TN and Carol Boyd of Fredericktown, MO; brothers-in-law, Don (Gina) Santhuff and John (Karen) Santhuff; grandchildren, Kyle (Heather) Wallen and Cody (Aleksandra) Wallen; three great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Vivian and Lillian all of Steelville, MO; other relatives; and many friends.

The Family received friends on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026 with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "When I Get Where I AM Going", "How Great Thou Art" and "Go Rest High" was played.

Committal prayer and interment with Full Military Honors by the U. S. Navy were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were Zach Sterling, Lonnie Halbert, Richie Counts, Randy Williams, George Counts, Kyle Wallan and Cody Wallan with Jerry Setzer and Ken Halbert as Honorary.

The Counts Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.