William "Bill" Leonard

Funeral Services for William “Bill” E. Leonard of Morris will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris with Reverend Michael Hanson officiating.

Interment will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris with military honors by the Minnesota State Honor Guard and the Morris American Legion and V.F.W. Reception to follow at American Legion, Morris.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30th at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Prayer service and time to share 7:00 p.m., following visitation.

Bill Leonard was born on November 20, 1950, in Tracy, Minnesota. He is the son of Thomas and Lorraine (Menk) Leonard and brother of eight siblings. He grew up in Tracy where he attended school through his sophomore year. Bill graduated High School with the Class of 1969 in Glenwood, Minnesota.

Bill was drafted into the United States Army in July, 1970. He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in February 1972. Bill and his army friends have enjoyed a lifetime of friendship and have kept in touch often.

After Bill’s discharge he returned to Glenwood area where he was introduced to his little helper, Loretta Williams, through a blind date set-up. On September 25, 1976, Bill married Loretta in Morris at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Morris where they raised their family and have enjoyed their extended family in the area.

“The Legendary Blade Operator” comes from many years of working in road construction. Bill starting in 1972 at Morris Blacktop, which then changed to Riley’s Construction. Bill was a hard worker and had worked up until his last days.

Many family memories were made at “The Shack” in the Wadena area. Bills enjoyment of fishing, hunting and camping time brought family and friends along. The “Hunting Shack” is the meeting place and it is just one of the testaments to who Bill is, the man that he was. The meaning of “The Shack” says what he felt and shows what his values were, it's how he brought people together by sharing who he was. He was a man of few words but he spoke it well - in good character and what his beliefs were. He loved his work, his family, a good laugh and in giving back.

Bill was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. He was always there when you needed him and would drop everything to help. He will be forever in our hearts.

He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris, the Morris American Legion where he served as Commander, the Morris V.F.W. and was a member of the NRA.

Bill died Friday, April 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Loretta Leonard of Morris; children, Brenda (John) Hufford of Wichita, KS, Chad (Beth) Leonard of Amery, WI and Jessica (Coby) Bruns of Morris, MN; grandchildren, Emma, Brooke, Heather, Brianna, Morgan, Hayden, Anthony (Rose), Zach and Whitney; great-granddaughter, Lou as well as siblings, Chuck (Nancy), Gerry, Jerome, Paul (Barb), Tim (Amy), Sue (Craig), Carol (Darwin), sister-in-law, Lynda, brother-in-law, Rollie and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lorraine; son, Brian; brother, Harold and sisters-in-law, Mary, Lori and Sandy.

Arrangements are with Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris.