Benny "Leo" Chandler, Sr.

Benny Leo Chandler, Sr., 71, of Crossett, died Thursday, July 7, 2016, at the Ashley County Medical Center of Crossett.  He was born on September 13, 1944, in Morrilton, AR to his parents, Benjamine Leo and Nevene Chandler.  He served in the United States Air Force which included two years in Vietnam and worked in the Georgia Pacific Plywood plant for 16 years until he retired in 2004. 

Leo was a member of Cloverdale Assembly of God Church and a proud member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association Ministry.  His friendly personality and love for his Christian family were evident every Sunday through his effort to either hug or shake hands with every single person he could make contact with. 

Watching westerns and reading western books was one of his favorite past-times so much so that when the library received new books, they always knew to call Leo first. 

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his trike and Harley Davidson Sportster.  He coached his sons in baseball and his grandchildren in soccer and could always be found in front of the television if the Razorbacks were playing, no matter what the sport.

He is preceded in death by his father, Benjamine Leo Chandler and one great-grandchild, Aria Jade McGowen.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Murphy of Crossett; son, Benny Leo Chandler, Jr. and wife Jana of Crossett; son, Jody Leo Chandler of Little Rock; daughter, Tammie Jean Moreno and husband Eli of Hot Springs; son, Jimmy Gilley of Springhill, LA; son, Joe Gilley and wife Kim of Crossett; daughter, Judy Ann Brazier of Hot Springs; his mother, Nevene Chandler of Crossett; 12 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11th at Cloverdale Assembly of God Church, 132 Ashley Rd 15 in North Crossett with Bro. Kenneth Neal and Bro. Justin Usselton officiating followed by an interment at Adams Cemetery in Lanty, AR under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are James Gilley, Mason Chandler, C.T. Chandler, Justus Brazier, Elijah Moreno, and Nathan McGowen.  Honorary pallbearers are Bobby Brazier, Charles Berryman, Ryleigh Christy, Roger Reeves, David Whittington, Ricky Hall, Jerry Gonzalez, and members of the C.M.A.

A Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10th also at Cloverdale Assembly of God Church.

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