Chief Stanfield died of a heart attack he suffered while answering a call.

On May 29, 1971, Chief Stanfield was answering a call for service when he had a heart attack. Chief Stanfield was pronounced dead at Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Hayti, Missouri.

Chief William Edward Stanfield had served the Steele Police Department since 1943 and was elected police chief in 1957. He was born April 15, 1914 in Savannah, Tennessee and was survived by his wife, Lottys; a son, Billy Joe, of Steele; three daughters, Mrs. Althia Mae Plummer, of West Memphis; Mrs. Loretta Felts, of Malden; Patsy Young, of West Memphis; two brothers; five sisters and ten grand children. His son, Billy Joe, was elected to replace Chief Stanfield as chief of police.

Services were held at the First Baptist Church in Steele, MO. Interment: Mt. Zion Cemetery at Steele, Mo.