William Joseph Leahey

The second of three children, Bill was born May 2, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph and Alice (Fitzgerald) Leahey. He spent his childhood on Staten Island.

Bill received his PhD in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1962. Prior to joining the faculty at UTEP in 1968 as Professor, Bill taught at the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana and the University of Hawaii, Honolulu. He served as the department chairman twice and was the first recipient of the College of Science Outstanding Teaching Award. He retired in 1999 as Professor Emeritus. Bill knew the joy of having a career doing something he loved. He felt lucky about that and enjoyed helping others find ways to do the same.

Bill was very much a Renaissance man: he studied mathematics and physics and had a keen interest in history. His readings ranged from the Hapsburg Empire and the War of the Roses to pre-Columbian societies in the New World and the Yuan Dynasty in early China. Passionate in his interests, he traveled to Indian massacre sites and celebrated European battlefields, returned to the desert which he loved again and again to search for pot-shards and arrow points and spent days photographing hawks and humming birds that fascinated him.

A lifelong habit, his contagious enthusiasm for learning and openness to new experiences persisted to the very end of his life, even as his health was failing. Fascinated by languages, Bill spoke French and Chinese and studied Japanese and Malay. At one time he collected antique guns, Roman coins, and fossils. A wonderful conversationalist quick in repartee, Bill loved to discuss his reading and engaged all with whom he conversed. He had a special gift for seeing the ironies and strangeness of modern life, revealing a wicked sense of humor in his comments.

Bill was a man of great sensitivity and many talents, and had a profound appreciation for his family and friends. Bill’s wife Anne predeceased him in 2011. He is survived and already sorely missed by his son Patrick, daughters Martine Myronowicz (Mark) and Monique Sugimoto (Haru); six grandchildren, Elizabeth, William, Katherine, Amelie, Matthew and Madeleine; sisters Mary Shea and Jane Knisely; nine nieces and nephews, Joe, Todd, Kristin, Elizabeth, Alice, Christopher, Jennifer, Leslie and Kelly; and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life reception will be held at 10:30 on October 22 (150 Sunset located at 150 East Sunset Road, El Paso, 79922). In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Martin Funeral Home, El Paso, TX.