William Owen Leach Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Dickson Leach; children, Sally (Todd) Wilder, William (Nicole) Leach, and Jodie (Charlie) Hicks; grandchildren, Caroline, Claire, and James Wilder; Rae and Anna Leach; Owen, Sarah Slater, and Ansley Hicks; sister-in-law, Dele (Ron) Cannon; and several nieces and a nephew.

Mr. Leach was a graduate of Georgia Tech, President of Gadsden Heating and Sheet Metal, and President of Leach and Company. He also served as President of the Gadsden Rotary Club and the Gadsden Country Club. In addition, Mr. Leach served on the Board of Directors of Westminster Christian School and Life of Alabama. His greatest source of pride was his family and 52 happy years of marriage.

Pallbearers are Johnny Wetzel, Nick Brown, Johnny Floyd, Alan Loveman, Gordon DeMasi, Curtis Wright, Frank Helderman, Jr., and Bob Crabtree.

Honorary pallbearers are the employees of Leach and Company.

Special thanks to Dr. Vincent Valentine, Gisele Lombard, Margaret James, and Penny Wagner of the UTMB Transplant Program, the Bible Study at Covenant Fellowship Church, and the employees of Alacare.

Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 17, 2013, from 10am-12pm with service to follow officiated by Rev. Harvey Beck and Dr. R. Gary Ashley. Burial will be at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.