William “Bill” Graham Leech of Pelham, Alabama, died suddenly on Friday, May 22, 2020, at the age of 70. Together with his wife of nearly 49 years, Lynette Leech, Bill lived a life devoted to his family. He traveled the world, living in Canada, Turkey and eventually the United States, where he raised a family and launched a career in finance.
The son of the late Harold and Beatrice Leech, Bill was born March 15, 1950, in of Belleville, Ontario, Canada, a place he would later describe as an almost idyllic and charming town. The family relocated to the Montreal area when Bill and his two brothers were teenagers, and Bill graduated from Riverdale High School, where he was known as a “jokester.” He loved pulling pranks on his friends.
After high school, Bill and his older brother, Ronald, moved with their parents to Istanbul, Turkey, where their father worked as the head of finance for Nortel; Bill and Ronald also worked at the company as telecommunication installers. Bill often talked about the amazing experience he had living in Turkey and the friends he met during his time there. Sadly, the family’s stay in Istanbul ended abruptly in October 1969 when Bill’s father died suddenly at the age of 45. They relocated back to Montreal.
Bill continued to work at Nortel and soon discovered a new face in the office. He did not know it at the time, but it was the woman he would later marry. Bill devised a plan to meet her at the copy machine and stood there nonchalantly making 100 copies of a blank piece of paper when she walked by. Awkwardly, he blurted out “Would you go on a date with me?” to which she responded, “I don’t even know your name!” But by then, Lynette Westrap was already charmed.
The two of them dated for nearly two years before relocating to Toronto to be closer to Lynette’s family, who had just emigrated from West Bengal, India. They were married a short time later on Nov. 13, 1971, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Rexdale, Ontario. Bill began working in a bank, launching a long-term career in finance. The couple welcomed a son and then a daughter before Bill followed his dream of immigrating to the United States in 1981. He moved the family to Georgia and later Alabama, where he worked in finance for nearly three decades with JM Family Enterprises. He retired in 2007.
Bill had an infectious laugh, and a dynamic, outgoing personality that made him a friend to anyone he came across. He had a way of making everyone feel loved, and would drop everything to help anyone in need, stranger or not. He was highly active at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Indian Springs, Alabama, where he earned his Fourth-Degree Knight status in the Knights of Columbus.
Bill also had a soft spot for animals, enjoyed fishing and camping in his younger days, but more than anything, he loved just being with his family. His greatest joy was being a grandfather of five, and he made it a point to come to every music or theatrical performance and Little League game.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Lynette; two children, Chris Leech (Tabitha) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and Marie Leech-Santamour (John) of Indian Springs, Alabama; and five grandchildren, Eva and Cora Leech, and Emily, Sydney and Michael Santamour. Bill is also survived by his two older brothers, David Leech (Gladys) of Cobourg, Ontario, and Ronald Leech of Perth, Ontario; as well as many loving nephews, nieces and other relatives.
Due to COVID-19, visitation for Bill will be private, but the Mass of Christian Burial will be open to the public and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The Mass will begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 5514 Double Oak Lane, Birmingham, AL 35242. Burial will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Rd., Pelham, AL 35124. Guests are encouraged to wear masks at the church and cemetery services.
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