LeLand Myron Ullman

LeLand “Lee” Myron Ullman, 87, of Goodyear, AZ passed away on November 29, 2015.  He was born September 10, 1928 in Lowell, OH, the fourth of ten children born to Gilbert and Minnie Ullman.  He married Patsy King in 1953 in Avondale, AZ.  Patsy passed away on December 14, 1985.  They have two sons.  In 1991 Lee married Connie Kirby.

Lee entered the United States Navy in 1945 at the age of seventeen.  He loved being in military service.  He received many certificates, ribbons, medals and awards of excellence.  While serving in the Navy, Lee played softball and was voted the Most Valuable Player on the team.  He served in the Navy for twenty years during the Korean War and the Vietnam War aboard the USS Endicott, the USS Toledo, the Mine Sweeper Division 112, the Mine Sweeper Division 11, and the USS Nereus.  During the last two years in the Navy he trained recruits in San Diego, CA.  He retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1965 and he and Patsy moved to Goodyear, AZ.

Upon arriving in Goodyear, Lee joined both the Goodyear Police Department and the Goodyear Volunteer Fire Department.  He spent nine and a half years as a Police Officer and was the first officer in the Goodyear Police Department to obtain the rank of Sergeant.  In 1974 the Goodyear City Council and Mayor appointed him as Fire Chief and Building Safety Inspector.  He was the first full time paid Fire Chief in the City of Goodyear.  He started the EMT program for the City of Goodyear in 1975.  He retired as Goodyear Fire Chief in 1986.

His family is very proud of his awards as Outstanding Police Officer of the Year and Fireman of the Year.  His induction into the AZ Veterans’ Hall of Fame in 2005 was one of his proudest achievements.

Though he has achieved much professionally, nothing can compare to the devotion, love and encouragement he has shown his entire family.  The impact he has had on his family members, both individually and collectively, is everlasting and will carry on for generations.

Lee is survived by his wife Connie; two sons, Mike Ullman and David (Diane) Ullman, both of Goodyear; four grandchildren, Jessica (Derek) Nodsle, Tiffany (Jared) Kufner, Stacy (Josh) Hinton, Matt (Stephanie) Ullman;  four great-grandchildren, Julia Nodsle, Davis & Max Hinton, Matthias Ullman; sister Norma (Fred) Wellspring; brothers Joe Ullman of St. Marys, WV, Bob (Mary Lou) Ullman of Marietta, OH, Chet Ullman of Blytheville, AR & Jerry (Anna) Ullman of Marietta, OH.  Lee also has two step-daughters, Charlotte (John) Riley of Placentia, CA & Sheila (Scott) Morse of Goodyear, AZ; five step-grandchildren, Tiffany Garnica, Cheree (Darren) Jonivich & Ricky Garnica of Goodyear, AZ, and A.J. & Kyle Riley of Placentia, CA; four step-great-grandchildren, Carlie Case, Gage Jonivich, Destin Jonivich & Keira Jonivich.  He was preceded in death by three sisters, Marjorie Berg, Leona Vannoy , Faye Liniger and one brother, Gilbert Ullman, Jr.  Lee was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

A viewing will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, Dec 3, 2015 at Harvest Baptist Church, 535 N. Sarival Ave, Goodyear, AZ.  A funeral service will be 10:00 am Friday, Dec 4, 2015 at Harvest Baptist Church.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Park West Cemetery, 6290 W Northern Ave, Glendale, AZ.  Condolences for the family can be left at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com.