William Bill Edward Leonhardt

William Edward Leonhardt, 'Bill with two L's' was relieved of all his hurt and pain following a 2 1/2 year struggle with complications from a fall May 13, 2009. He passed this life December 2, 2011 to live eternally with our Lord and those gone before us. He was born August 23, 1927 to Emil and Marguerite (Bish) Leonhardt in their home on Starr at Wheeling in Oregon Ohio. They preceded him in death as did his brothers George and Donald, sisters; Mary Louise Vincent, Laura Winebrenner and Bernice Hornyak, nephews; Philip Hornyak, Larry Leonhardt and niece; Julie Kroeger, In-laws; Dorothy and Ray Rideout. On February 14, 1953 he married Dorothy Rideout whom he had met while working at the Pearson Park Roller Rink. She survives as do their children; Lorie Kramer, Diana and Bill, their grandchildren; Abbey and Mark Wadzeck, Lee Kramer, David and Douglas DeSloover and four great-grandchildren; Chelsea, Salvador, Daniel and Isabella, also sisters-in-law; Beverly Leonhardt, Jill Cousino and Carole (Wayne) Allen and many nieces and nephews. After graduation from Central Catholic High School in 1945, he was drafted and served in the Army Air Corp as it evolved into the United States Air Force. He was a crash fire fighter and while a 35 year employee of the Sun Oil Company, he joined the company fire brigade. He enjoyed his work at Sun, starting in the lab and retiring as an instrument technician. He was a member of the American Legion Christ Dumberger Post #0537 and the East Toledo Historical Society, There was never any doubt where Bill stood politically and worked tirelessly on campaigns for candidates and issues he believed in. He was a staunch Union man and organized the Sun Oil boycott during the 1984 Sun Oil labor strike whech resulted in a quicker settlement. Bill, his brother Don and Becky Buchanan were honored for instituting a 'scrap metal fund' with the Sun Oil Company for fuel for the St. Vincent's Life Flight helicopter. He was among those who particiated with Father Robert Armstrong and Knute Huber in the birth of Helping Hands at St. Louis Church. He did his best 'hustling' at St. Thomas Aquinas and Cardinal Stritch Festivals. Bill enjoyed making people smile even in these last two and a half years. He was quick witted and always had a joke or comical remark. He especially enjoyed entertaining children. Form many years he entertained the City of Toledo in the Labor Day Parades on his motorized roller skates and the 'Broad in the Red Dress with the Droopy Drawers'. He also apperared in several Oregon Labor Day parades. Bill and Dorothy enjoyed traveling together and with his in-laws and friends to Las Vegas, Mexico, on cruises and in 1982 a Catholic tour of Ireland, Rome, Fatima, and Lourdes with Father Al Ceranowski. Bill was a man of many talents. He could fix anything and believed there was always a use for everything. He was a gardener, fisherman, bowler and soup maker. He was an honest man of integrity, generous and would help anyone in need. Bill was one of a kind. He has been and will be missed by those who knew and loved him. The family wishes to thank the many EMS people, doctors, ICU nurses, ER nurses and aides, the respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapists at St. Charles and Regency Hospitals and Orchard Villa for their special caring and compassionate care. Friends and family may visit Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Ave, Oregon OH 43616 on Monday December 5, 2011 from 2pm to 8 pm. Reciting fo the Rosary will be at 7 pm. Bill will lie-in-state Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 9 am to 10 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church 729 White Street, Toledo, OH where a Mass of Christan Burial will begin at 10 am, followed by interment at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Memorial tributes gratefully accepted by Our Lady of Toledo Shrine or 'Just Pancakes' at Salem Lutheran Church