Billie Joe Leonard

Billie Joe Leonard was born July 5, 1944, at the family home near Walker, to William Warner Leonard and Dorthey Mildred (Turner) Leonard, and passed away at his home, near El Dorado Springs, after a short illness on July 16, 2019.

Bill attended school at Walker through the 10th grade and then entered service into the United States Navy on Oct. 31, 1961. During his service he served on the USS Belle Grove and saw 27 countries and spent his 18th birthday in Bangkok, Thailand. He was released from active duty on July 2, 1965, in Seattle, Washington where he met Claudia Coatney. They married Jan. 2, 1965, and spent 21 years together before divorcing. To this union, two children were born, Angela Doreen and William Travis.

On July 7, 1989, Bill married the love of his life, Barbara Jean (Hunter) Snodgrass. They spent over 25 years together before her passing in 2015. With this union, Bill gained two more children, Rick and Ron Snodgrass.

Bill found his occupation in heavy construction. He was a member of the Laborer’s Union 663 for over 30 years and constructed many roads and bridges, including the mile long bridge over Stockton Lake. For many years, he and Barbara owned and operated BJ’s Auction and Sales, where Barbara taught him the art of auctioneering. Many times he would work all day in Kansas City, drive home, and go right to auctioneering at their weekly auction.

Bill enjoyed raising cattle, and after retirement, hauled many loads from sale barns for buyers. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, auctions, going to Downstream Casino, spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. He was also blessed to have been able to spend time fishing with his nephew, David Hines, whom he thought so much of. Bill enjoyed his grandchildren immensely and could recite to them, by memory, the book, Rackety Boom with enthusiasm. He enjoyed telling stories about the grandchildren, from nick names he gave them, to things he said to them (“Silly Goose,” ”I’m not afraid of you anymore”) and attending their plays or ballgames.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Barbara; his sister, Lula Kay McCullick; four infant siblings; Grandson, William Travis Leonard, Jr. and Great-Granddaughter, Taylor Gene LeAnn Leonard.

He leaves to mourn his passing his children, Angie (Ron) Carr of Ft. Scott, KS.; Travis (Terry) Leonard and Ron (Peggy) Snodgrass, of El Dorado Springs; and Rick (LeeAnn) Snodgrass of Oak Grove; Grandchildren, Samantha (Mark) Garner and Natalie Carr, of Junction City, KS.; Morgan Carr of Ft. Scott, KS.; Brandon Leonard of Windsor; Nellie Dresch, Allyson Snodgrass and Andrea Snodgrass, of El Dorado Springs; Travis (Chelsey) Snodgrass of Buckner; and Jamie (Brian) Wilcox of Oak Grove; Great Grandchildren, Colton Wilcox, CJ, Jaxon and Amina Jean Snodgrass. His siblings, Nelva (Deral) Mays and John Dee (Connie) Leonard of El Dorado Springs; David (Marsha) Leonard of Walker; Willis (Brenda) Leonard of Nevada; Hank (Karen) Leonard of Montevallo; Judy Leonard of Fairbury, NE.; and Mildred Hines of Harwood, Mo., and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were held Saturday, July 20, in Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.