William James Leitch was born March 28, 1931, the second child of George and Cecelia Messer Leitch. Bill was born in a stone house and was delivered by his maternal grandmother, Rose Kuntz Messer, near Bowman, N.D. The family came to Washington in 1937 and settled in the Yakima Valley.
Bill joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and married Betty Lease April 11, 1953, at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima. Bill served, chronologically, in San Diego, Japan, on the USS Salisbury Sound, at NAS China Lake California, on the USS Yorktown, in Korea, at NAS Pensacola Florida, NAS Whidbey Island, in Vietnam and retired at Miramar California in June 1967. He served as a chief photographer with movies, ground and aerial film work. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Sixth Award Medal. He also received The “Winged S” Air Rescue Emblem Certificate.
Bill and Betty enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening and living on their “HaHa Farm,” raising their four children during their 62 years together.
Their surviving children are Belinda (Robert) Mower, Liberty Lake, Wash.; Tony (deceased wife Carol Berner), Arlington, Wash.; Lauri (Stephen) Brown, Issaquah, Wash.; and Mary McGee, Auburn, Wash. Surviving grandchildren are Charity Turpen, Jason Mower, Sara Mower, Kristi Deehan, Stacey Miller, Andrew Leitch, Lucas Brown, Hannah Rose Brown and Hayley McGee. Great-grandchildren are Lexie Mower and Zoey Turpen; Ava Grace, Charlie and Samuel Miller; Madison Mower; and Carter and Beatrice Deehan. Bill’s surviving siblings are Richard (Velma) Leitch, Moxee, Wash.; Floyd Leitch, Yakima, Wash.; Patricia Murphy, Yakima; Dennis (Diana) Leitch, Higlands Ranch, Colo.; Larry (Dianna) Leitch, Yakima; and Yvonne (Virgil) Harper, Terrebonne, Ore. Two stepgrandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren also survive. Bill and Betty also had twin sons, William and Alan, who are deceased.
After retiring from the Navy, Bill worked for Oak Harbor School District in the grounds and maintenance departments. He was active as chief of the Silver Lake Fire department with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue. He was also a member of Oak Harbor Elks #2362 and was Wagon Master of Circle Up Camping Club for many years. Also, as a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, he dedicated his life to his faith, family and his friends.
Bill died peacefully Jan. 4, 2015, in his home where he had lived for over 50 years. His wife, Betty, and children wish to thank everyone for their comforting words and prayers at this time.
Funeral Mass for William “Bill” Leitch will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with the Rev. Paul Pluth J.C.L. as celebrant. Rites of Interment with full military honors will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge.
Please visit Bill’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor.
