Donald Stephen (Steve) Benton went to his forever home to be with the Lord on November 21st 2025, at the age of 82.  He was born in Brownwood, Texas on September 28, 1943 to Gerald Eugene Benton and Merle Bryce Bode.  He was married to Carla Jean Moore Benton in Georgetown, Texas on July 31, 1987, and together they shared four children.

Steve, attended school in San Saba and graduated from Midland High School, attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, and graduated from Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX.  He joined the Army in 1962 and after discharge, he worked as a Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, owned the Hanging Tree Art Gallery, was a realtor, deputy for Williamson County Sheriff's Department, and he continued his career in law enforcement as a patrolman, detective and forensic artist for the City of Georgetown before accepting the position of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 for Williamson County.  He retired from Williamson County in 2013.

His life was filled with diverse interests that included; painting, sculpture, pottery, metal work, woodwork, carving, leather, bead work, hunting, fishing and a love of the Old West and Native American cultures. He enjoyed his years with the Rotary Club of Georgetown and the friendships made there. Steve accepted the Lord as Savior as a young man and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown for 25 years until declining health made relocation a prudent choice.  Being a naturally social person, with a lively sense of humor he enjoyed the pleasure of friends and family.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Benton, Waldine Benton, Merle Bryce Bode, brothers; Jerry Benton and Gene Benton, sisters-in-law; Mary Benton, Shirley Benton and Becky Benton, and brothers-in-law T.J. Moore and Guy Abbott.

He is survived by his wife, Carla Benton, daughter, Kelli Benton Hurley and grandson Tanner and great grandchildren Aurora and Aria of Cedar Park, TX, son, Dan Linton, wife Anne and grandson Eli of Georgetown, TX, daughter, Jacklyn Benton Silvius, husband Pete and grandchildren Peyton and Casey of Sequin, and son, Zachary Benton, wife Angela and grandsons Mattis and TJ of Thorndale, TX.

We appreciate all the loving care and support we have received from family and friends during the last five years of declining health; thank you Kelli for all the emotional support and being able to talk your dad into a more positive place during some rough times.  Dan, Anne and Eli thank you for helping us do things we could no longer do ourselves, and Zach and Angela we so appreciate all the physical, mental, emotional, medical help and the daily grind of getting through these declining years.  Pat and Roy Salas and Sabre Abbott your encouragement and support have been such a wonderful source of strength.  We count ourselves truly blessed.

Pallbearers for the service will be: G.J. Abbott, Gary Baker, Wes Salas, David Benton, Greg Benton, and Garrett Johnson, with Honorary Pallbearers being: Dan A. Gattis Sr. (in memorial), Jim Harrell, Kerry Russell, Roy Salas, Marvin Waley, Mark Moore, and Tim Harris.

Visitation will be on December 8th from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. located at the Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78633.  Interment will be on December 9th at 2:00 P.M. at the Central Texas State Veteran's Cemetery located at 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX.  Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.