William (Bill) Martin Leek 98, completed his earthly journey on March 20, 2018. He was born at home in Blue Springs, Missouri on May 10th, 1919 to Charles Ivan Leek and Mary Ann Billings Leek Kleinbaugh.
The early years of his life were spent in rural eastern Jackson County, Missouri, where he enjoyed various outdoor activities. As a young man, Bill worked as a soda jerk at the now historic Lowe's Soda Fountain and Flower Shop. He enlisted into the United States Army in 1943. Bill served with the Army Signal Corp in the South Pacific during World War II. He was part of the U.S. occupation force in Tokyo for 6 months.
Returning home to Blue Springs in 1946, Bill began his career as a sheet metal mechanic. He married his wife Daisee Jacoby of Moberly, Missouri in 1949. In 1951, Bill moved Daisee and his infant son to Tucson, AZ, where he added three daughters to his family. Once there, he worked at Marana Airbase and then at Earl White Trailer Repair/Merrigan's Arizona Road-Runner until his retirement.
Bill served many years as a Deacon in the Community of Christ Tucson church. He was a Honorary Life Member of Morgan McDermott American Legion Post 7, serving as Sergeant of Arms, Bingo Chairman, and gave endless hours of his time volunteering.
After retiring, Bill traveled around visiting family and to Washington D.C. with the May 2014 Honor Flight of Southern Arizona. He also spent time at Hi Corbett Field watching and cheering for the University of Arizona Wildcats Baseball team.
Bill passed away peacefully at home where he resided for 66 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Daisee; his parents; brothers Charles, Arden, Lottie, John, and James; sisters Mary Ann and Mable; and daughter-in-law Beverly. He will be dearly missed by his son Stephen; daughters, Sandra (Randy) Smith, Delores (George) Quiroz, and Diane (James) Patton III; sister Jennie Dale; his six grandchildren, Aaron and Ashley Quiroz, Jennifer and Evan Leek, and Jimmy and Krista Patton; and his many nieces and nephews. Bill also has five great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.
A Celebration of Life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday May 5, 2018 at Funeraria del Angel, 7 University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85705.
A reception will follow at Morgan McDermott American Legion Post 7, 330 W. Franklin Street, Tucson, AZ 85701.
Many thanks to caregivers Karen Moore, Jorge Perez and the nurses and staff at Casa de la Luz Hospice.
Bill always had a cat in his lap when watching TV, so in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) or The Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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