V. A. "Bill" Lea

Vernon "Bill" A. Lea of Steelville, Missouri passed away Friday, December 23, 2016 at his home surrounded by family. He was born December 8, 1928 in Steelville, Missouri to Ross Lea and Opal Clonts Lea. Bill was united in marriage on December 21, 1947 to Dormalie Bowers and to this union six children were born.

Bill was a well-known cattleman for many years. Several years ago he was a partner with Jumby Gladden and ran Valleyside Dairy. He always loved to fish and was an avid hunter whether it was Morel mushrooms, turkey, squirrel or deer. Anyone talking to Bill knew that he would always have a good story to tell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bud Lea and wife Dottie and Hack Lea and wife Verniece; one sister, Matred Kehner and husband L.H., brothers-in-law, Charles Counts, Richard Mager and Irvine Bowers; granddaughter, Angela Lea; and great-grandson, David Lea.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of sixty-nine years, Dormalie Lea of Steelville, MO; six children, Billy Lea and wife Carol and Karen Calkins and husband Jerry all of Steelville, MO, Joe Lea and wife Fannie of Cuba, MO, Susie Harmon and husband Jimmy and Mary Ellen Lea all of Steelville, MO and John Lea of Cuba, MO; brother, Pete Lea and wife Bonnie of Steelville, MO; sister, Shirley Mager of Steelville, MO; sisters-in-law, Mary West of Steelville, MO and Imogene Bowers of Cuba, MO; fourteen grandchildren, Meredith Lea, Ross (Jessica) Lea, Michael (Briana) Calkins, Mark (Vada) Calkins, Becky (Jerry) Richardson, Lea Adam Calkins, Alysia (Ben) Cohen, A.J. Lea, Hannah Lea and fiance' Caleb Farmer, Lance (Shannon) Harmon, Lucas (Kaitlin) Harmon, Brandy Lea, Brittany Lea and Megan Lea; fifteen great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

The Family received friends on Saturday, December 24, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Memories were shared by daughter, Karen Calkins. Special music of "How Great Thou Art" and "I'll Fly Away" was played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Steelville Cemetery.

Honored to be casket bearers were grandsons, Ross Lea, Michael Calkins, Mark Calkins, Lea Adam Calkins, A.J. Lea, Lance Harmon and Lucas Harmon.

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

 Service Information