Billy "Bill" Don Leath's Obituary
Billy Don "Bill" Leath made his final journey home to be with his Lord on November 11, 2023. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10:00 am at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A time of visitation is scheduled at 9:00 am at the same location. A graveside service will follow at the Summerfield Methodist Church Cemetery.
Bill was born August 5,1934 to Andrew Harvey and Lela Leath. After graduating from Spring Hill High School in 1952, he spent two years in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. Upon his return, he would spend most of the remainder of his life in the East Texas area. An avid sports fan, he could be found in the stands watching his sons, grandchildren, relatives, and strangers play. He spent countless Friday nights travelling the backroads to games, even seeing a couple of future Heisman Trophy winners play high school football.
On June 30, 1961, he married Johnnie Beth Ferguson of Union Grove. The couple spent two years in Tyler before returning to Longview. They met and became lifelong friends with Bob and Nancy Drake who ironically shared the same wedding anniversary. They would later move to Nacogdoches before settling back in Longview in 2006. Since 2020, he had lived in the Dallas area to be near his sons.
He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew Harvey and Lela; wife Johnnie Beth; brother E.L. "Buddy" Leath and sisters Martha Kennedy, Ruth Fielden, and Louise Lavelle.
He is survived by son Kyle with grandsons Kevin, Tyler and wife Shelby; son Kerry and daughter-in-law Susan with granddaughters Mary Claire and Lauren Frances; sister Alyce Wells and former daughter-in-law Torrie Fiscus with husband Dan and daughter Hanna. There are numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Summerfield Cemetery Fund.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Summerfield Cemetery Fund.
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