Mr. William Leo Montgomery

William Leo Montgomery, 86, of Bedford, Texas, passed away on January 2nd, 2023. He was born in Benson, Louisiana on November 27th, 1936 to Sylvester Larned and Willie Lucille Montgomery. Leo graduated from Pelican High School in 1955 and Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 1959 where he majored in mathematics.

Later that year, on September 12th, he married Alta Gretchen Raines. Shortly after they married, Leo joined the Army and after he finished basic training, they moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan where they lived for 3 years. Leo separated from the Army in 1961 and landed a job in oil exploration, which is when the cross-country moving for them began, often staying in one place for only a few weeks to a few months carrying all their belongings in 2 cars.

Even though they moved constantly they always managed to find a church home, make close friends, and be involved. Leo and Alta eventually moved Bedford, Texas in 1970 where they lived for over 50 years. Shortly after moving to Bedford, they joined the First Baptist Church of Bedford where they were active member for nearly 20 years. Eventually they, along with many close friends, helped establish Woodland Heights Baptist Church where they actively participated in until the time of their passing.

Leo retired in the mid-nineties, about the same time as Alta, but this did not slow them down, rather this set them on journey of traveling, often visiting their children and grandchildren in Peru and Kenya. Like Alta, Leo had a love of nature and animals – those that knew him well will fondly remember him rehabilitating countless numbers of squirrels from the neighborhood. Leo also had a brilliant mind and was very mechanically inclined – he could fix just about anything from a car to a computer.

Leo is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Kim Montgomery of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Ray Trottier of North Richland Hills, Texas; grandchildren, Van Montgomery, Bella Montgomery, Ethan Harrah, Willow Harrah, and Darrel Harrah; brother and sister-in-law, S. L. (Sonny) and Kathleen Montgomery; dozens of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alta Montgomery of nearly 63 years; his father and mother, S. L. and Willie Lucille Montgomery.

He was quiet, compassionate, had a great sense of humor but most of all had a huge heart and loved his friends, family and the Lord without bounds. He was a caring and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband, and friend. We are going to miss him greatly, but we are comforted knowing that he and Alta are now rejoicing together in Heaven along with so many of their friends and family!

Funeral services will be held on January 14th, 2023, visitation at 9:00 AM and Celebration of Life at 10:00AM, at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.