Willie Leonard

He transitioned from this realm on February 1, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and listening to “Simply Beautiful” by Al Green, beginning his eternal journey. Willie was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Fessor Lee Leonard, Jr.

A graduate of Kendrick High School, Willie furthered his education at Morris Brown College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and became a member of the Beta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. With over thirty years of service to the newspaper industry, Willie began his career with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a newspaper courier and worked his way up the corporate ladder to end his career as a unit director. His tenacity, personality, and hustle, earned him the label “the fixer” throughout his professional life.

In the fall of 1976, Willie met his soulmate and the love of his life on Morris Brown’s campus, Sheryl Harkness. After walking into a street sign to gain her attention, they became inseparable. They married in 1979 and built a loving home filled with dancing, laughter, joy, warmth and God. Willie was a member of New Hope Cathedral in Stockbridge, GA.

Willie is survived by his mother, Betty Mitchell; mother-in-law, Addie Harkness, and his devoted, loving wife, Sheryl Harkness Leonard. He was a strong and caring father to his daughter, Nicole Leonard, and his sons, Marcus Leonard (Ladipo) and Branton Leonard. He loved being a poppa to his ten grandchildren, Anton, VurElise, Adrian, Iivanna, Aavari, Austin, Navayah, SaVaughn, Asahn, and Volric. Willie is also survived by his much loved siblings, brother Samuel Mitchell (Dawn) and sister Maria Mitchell Scott; his brothers-in-law, Tony Harkness and Baron Harkness; nieces, Kathleen Harkness Sarmiento (Tony), Taylor Harkness Kim (Solomon), Robyn Scott Walker, Morgann Mitchell, Lisa Harkness, Maya Mitchell, Rhana Mitchell, and Rheagan Mitchell; nephews, Tony Harkness (Marlene) and D’Arcy Williams; and a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, & friends.

Willie lived life to the fullest, enjoying golfing, traveling, sketching, sports, and mostly, being with his family. His abundance of love, towering spirit, calmness, compassion, and strength while dealing with adversity, will remain in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in paradise, Willie. Our tears contain all the love we can no longer share with you here on earth.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Horis A. Ward Funeral Home - Fairview Chapel | 376 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM at New Hope Cathedral | 1738 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281. Services will conclude with a graveside committal at Fairview Memorial Gardens | 164 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281. Bishop Richard Leaphart, officiating.