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Bruce Raymond Austin was born December 14, 1935 in East Prairie, Missouri, and was educated in the East Prairie Public Schools, graduating in 1953. Bruce attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau for two years. Joining the U.S. Navy, where he became a Hospital Corpsman, trained to specialize in the uses of I-131, radioactive iodine, for thyroid glandular studies. He was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland for 3 ½ years. Enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he obtained a degree in mortuary science, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Brother Austin returned to East Prairie where he was associated with McMikle Funeral Homes, both in East Prairie and Charleston. Bruce then met and Married Myrtle (better known as Sisser) Goodin on April 6, 1963 in Charleston. They have three sons: Stephen and Sam of Charleston, and David of Webster Groves, Missouri. Bruce then started farming with his father-in-law in March 1965. He took over the farm in 1974 and, at the present time, farms over 1700 acres, growing soybeans, corn, and winter wheat. He took in his middle son, Sam, as a full partner in the farm operation.

Stephen, his oldest son, is a pilot. David, his youngest son, sells surgical instruments. David is a dual member of Charleston Lodge #407 and Webster Grove Lodge # 84. He is also a member of St. Louis Scottish Rite and is a past Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection. He is also a member of the York Rite Bodies. All three sons are Eagle Scouts.

Bruce’s civic duties include: Past President and member of the Mississippi County Library Board, Past Chairman of the University of Missouri’s Outreach and Extension Council, has served on many boards in the United Methodist Church, where he and Myrtle are both active members. He is a past member and President of the Charleston R-1 School Board, and a past Scoutmaster of Charleston Boy Scout Troop 323. He still serves on the Troop Committee. He is a member of the Foundation Board for the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He is a member of the Farm Bureau and the Delta Growers Association. Bruce and Myrtle were honored by being named the Mississippi County Farm Family in 1996. Bruce was Charleston’s Man of the Year in 1999.

He wife, Myrtle, has served as Den Mother, and was the first female Cubmaster in the District. She is a member and past president of both the Junior Study Club and PEO Chapter CV. She has also served on many committees of the United Methodist Church, and is also a past Woman of the Year in Charleston. She retired from teaching first grade in the Charleston Public Schools.

MWB Bruce’s Masonic Affiliations began in February 1961, where he was initiated into East Prairie Lodge #384, where three months later he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. In 1964, he transferred his membership to Charleston Lodge #407, where he served as Master both in 1972 and 1980. He is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis. He was awarded the Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in 1979, and was honored with the 33rd Degree Inspector General Honorary in 1995. He also served as Venerable Master in the Lodge of Perfection in 1995.

Other Masonic memberships include: Charleston Chapter #19 RAM, where he served as High Priest in 1997 and 1998, and received the “Order of High Priesthood” in Branson, MO at Chapter #75, Cape Council #20, Cryptic Masons, and Cape Girardeau Commandery #55, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Olin S McDaniel Allied Masonic Degree, where he was Sovereign Master in 2005, the Missouri Lodge of Research, member of the Scottish Rite Temple Preservation Board, and the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri, the Hunt York Rite College #162 of St. Louis, and the Capaha Scottish Rite Club in Cape Girardeau. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of the old 50th Masonic District from 1996-1999. Member of Moolah Shrine,  the SEMO Shrine Club in Sikeston, the Red Cross of Constantine-St. Louis Conclave, National Sojourners, Heroes of '76, Sword of Bunker Hill-Andrew Jackson #43.