Andy Leiner

Andy was born August 5, 1960 in Caseyville, Illinois to Doris & Carl Leiner. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1978 where he excelled in track and shop mechanics. In 1980 Andy moved to Wichita Falls,Texas where he remained until his death. He majored in criminal justice at Vernon Regional College which led him to employment at Wichita County Sheriff's Department, first as a dispatcher and then a detention officer. It was there he met Betty Varnell who would become his loving companion.

After leaving law enforcement Andy was employed as a welder at Adams Welding. Upon leaving Adams he worked at Pizza Hut in Wichita Falls and Dominoes in Duncan, Oklahoma. Owning his own restaurant was a dream he had but wasn't to be at the time so he returned to his first love, auto mechanics. He worked at R.L. Anderson's International Truck Center, Roberts Truck Center and Cullar Auto and Truck. He retired from Cullar's in 2020 after receiving his cancer diagnosis. Throughout the years Andy gained a reputation as the best diesel truck mechanic in north Texas. There are those who claim to be a jack of all trades and master of none, but Andy was a master of all trades whether it was mechanics, construction, roofing, plumbing or electricity. There was nothing he couldn't fix.

He also had a passion for aviation and cooking. And a sense of humor that was at times wicked and always infectious.

Along with Betty, Andy saved dozens of cats and birds and dogs. Working overtime to pay for their care or staying up all night to comfort a sick kitten, his devotion was unwavering. This devotion was returned in kind over the years with kisses, accompanying him on late night road calls and at the end of his life by a family of feral cats who came out of hiding from a room at night to lie in a circle around his bed so Betty could get some rest. The pain of his passing is very evident in a quiet sadness that has enveloped his home.

Special thanks go to Dr. Robert Funk, Dr. Tobin Strom, Dr. Kent Ulrich and the staff at North Texas Oncology, Dr. Yogish Kamath and his staff, Norman Ransom, Noel Leiner, Karen Robinson, Mark Oxford, John and Rosellen Sheetz, Linda and Robert Holbrook, Henry Meadows, Nancy and Hank Anderson, Hospice of Wichita Falls, and everyone who prayed for Andy during his illness and loved and supported him throughout his lifetime.

Andy is preceded in death by his parents and brother Aaron.

He is survived by Betty Varnell, brothers Noel & his wife Lana of Lakeside City and Carl of Las Vegas, Nevada, nephew Nik and his wife Mandy of Reno, Nevada, niece Cassandra and her husband Chris of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, numerous cousins, friends and his many four-legged children.

Donations may be made to Glenn Garcelon Foundation, P.E.T.S. clinic and Wildlife Bird Rescue both of Wichita Falls,Texas.

Graveside services will be conducted by associate pastor Rod Payne, First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls where Andy was a member, sang in the choir and portrayed Jesus in their Christmas pageant.

No formal visitation is scheduled but the Andy will be Lay in State from 8 to 5 Saturday and Sunday.