Bill Leidy

Bill’s father, Charles Allison Leidy (Cal) was stationed in Boise, Idaho during WWII. His mother (Polly Price Foster Leidy) was with him in Boise. On July 22, 1942, Baby Bill joined them. After the war, the family returned to Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill grew up in Little Rock graduating from Hall High School in 1960. He received degrees from the University of Arkansas, two from the University of Missouri, and his doctorate from North Texas State University. He was a high school band director and university instructor before leaving music behind to become a computer programmer and the IT Director of the expanding Chickasaw Telephone Company. After retirement, he did contract programming for a variety businesses.

While writing these contract programs from home, he brought out his saxophone. He played in four different jazz bands including Talk of the Town, a Norman favorite. Playing brought him much joy. He tried out for a national jazz band and mission group, the Metro Big Band. He was the lead tenor saxophone player. Bill and Ruth traveled with the group to Edinburgh, Scotland and couple of years later to Porto, Portugal. Both were inspiring, rewarding trips.

Bill met Ruth Ann Baker from Noel, Missouri playing flute in the Arkansas Marching Band in 1962. They married on December 27, 1964 which was his parents 25th anniversary and the grandparents 53rd. Their son, Robert, married his love, Katherine Brown, on his parents 25th, grandparents 50th (12/27/89) at McFarlin. The surviving relatives are Ruth Ann, James Robert, Katherine Ann and grandson Charles Dallas.

Bill and Ruth traveled with friends from Searchers class numerous times. They saw most of Europe, Britain and Scandinavia. Also the Caribbean more than once, Alaska, the Baltic and even a bit of Russia. Those were memorable trips. On one trip, McFarlin was reading the Bible in 90 days. We kept up!

There will be a Memorial Service at McFarlin on Monday, June 12 at 3:00 pm with Reverend Rockford Johnson. Talk of the Town will provide Bill’s favorite music.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Leidy family.