Wayne W. Leonard

Wayne moved to Yakima with his parents when he was two. After graduation from Yakima H.S., he joined the U. S. Army in 1942. He met LaVon “Bonnie” Shiell, who would become his loving wife for 55 years, while attending the U.S. Army Central Signal Corps Training Center at Camp Crowder, Missouri. After returning from WWII service in Europe the couple married on October 10, 1945 in Neodesha, Kansas. They made Yakima their home in 1945. He worked at various auto parts distributors including Dick Marson Pontiac and Yakima Valley Ford.

Wayne was a caring, loving, and thankful man. A wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa. Family meant everything to him. He enjoyed family camping and fishing trips. He delighted in teaching his children and grandchildren to fish. Wayne and Bonnie attended countless sporting events involving family and were very involved with their grandchildren. They also enjoyed many years traveling in their motor home and boating at Rimrock Lake. Wayne cherished every moment he spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they with him.

Outside of family, Wayne treasured obtaining his pilot license. He was a life member of the American Legion Post # 36 and VFW Post # 379. He served numerous leadership positions including American Legion Post #36 Commander, State Chaplin, and was active with 40/8. This led Wayne and Bonnie to many conventions.

Wayne was preceded in death by his loving parents and wife. He is survived by his daughter Marchia Engquist and husband Mike of Yakima; son Jerry Leonard and wife Tally of Portland, OR., five grandchildren, Robert Engquist of Yakima; Jason Morgan and wife Christine of Black Diamond, WA; Stachia McCrary of Sumner, WA; Jerry Leonard, Jr. and wife Suzie of Hillsboro, OR; Matthew Leonard of Portland, OR., and eight great-grand children, Mikayla Engquist and Creed McCrary IV; Ryan and Courtney Engquist; Luke and Chloe Leonard; Natalie and Ashlyn Morgan.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 7, at 2:00 PM in the Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A reception will immediately follow the service at the Chapel. Viewing will be held 3-5PM on December 7. A private family internment will be held in Tahoma Cemetery at a later date. Memorial remembrance may be made to American Legion Post #36 in Yakima, WA.

Our family extends a heart felt thanks to Dad’s great neighbors and friends Don and Marlys Kerr; to Cedar Hills Adult Residential Care, especially Cece, Sue, Sam, Wanda, and Ruth; and to Beth of Memorial Home Care Hospice. We would also like to thank Dad’s physician Gabriel Lascar, MD All provided compassionate and loving care.