William Leonard

Leonard, Lt. Col. William R. USAF (Ret) Passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on October 16, 2011, at the age of 94. The son of Robert and Alvina Leonard, he was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota; graduated from North High School in 1936; attended the University of Minnesota ; and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940. He served in the South Pacific in World War II with the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 13th Air Force, returned home in August 1945, and joined the Air Force in October 1947. To the end of his military career, he was a rated command pilot. He served as a special assignment flight operations officer in the Japan-Korea -China theatre after WWII; with the VIP squadron in Washington, D.C.; and had various intelligence assignments at March AFB, HQ USAFE Wiesbaden, NORAD, and CINCNELM London. William retired from the Air Force in 1962, and in 1966 he joined the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and served as the Chief of Air Support, and as Civil Aviation Advisor to the Royal Laos Government in Vientiane, Laos until 1975. He retired from the State Department in 1977. He never lost his love for Minnesota and returned every summer "to the lake" to play golf, drive the boat, fish and play cribbage with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. William was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary Jane, in 2007. He will be deeply missed by children Laurie (Charles) Epperson, Linda (Frederic) Stephens, Victoria (Gregory) Langer, and William R. (Michele) Leonard, Jr.; grandchildren Frederic (Dana), Alexander, and Nicholas Stephens, John and Rebecca Langer, and William, III and Caroline Leonard; great-granddaughters Evelyn and Lila Stephens; and by his extended family who called him "Uncle Bill". In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in William's name to Pikes Peak Hospice, 825 East Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, 80903. Other organizations dear to his heart are the Alzheimer's Association , the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance or the ALS Association. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 28 at Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel, with services following at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memories may be shared at www.swan-law.com . He will be remembered most for his quick wit, endearing charm, and gentle soul.