Leslie B Godwin

Known as “Les” by his friends and affectionately as “Papa” by his family, he leaves behind a family, a business, and a legacy that he faithfully and tirelessly built over nearly a century. No one worked harder or gave more of himself to the things, and especially the people, he loved so dearly. Les possessed an extraordinary work ethic, unwavering faith in God, and a remarkable capacity to love others.

Perhaps the best description of Les comes from God’s definition of Agape love: “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8)

Les did not simply believe those words; he lived and modeled them every single day. He was patient and kind. He loved without keeping score. He fiercely protected and prayed for the people he loved, gave generously of himself, and remained steadfast through every season of his long life. He did not reserve his faith for Sundays or express it only in words. He lived his faith every day. His faith was visible in the way he treated people, the way he cared for his family, and the way he conducted his business and treated his employees.

Tampa was always his home, and he was a fourth-generation native Floridian. He attended Hillsborough High School and graduated from Plant High School. Les also served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at the Panama Canal during the Korean War.

In 1954, at just 22 years of age, he founded Builders Hardware, Inc. What began as one young man’s hard work, supported by his loving wife, Sylvia, grew into a well-respected business that flourished in Florida for nearly seven decades under his leadership. His children eventually worked alongside him, making Builders Hardware not merely a successful company, but an integral part of the Godwin family story.

Even though Les built a remarkable company, his business never defined his greatest legacy. His faith and family did. He served for many years in numerous capacities in several local churches: First Baptist Church, Spencer Memorial Baptist Church, the House of Hope, and Riverhills Church of God. He was a generous supporter of many churches, missionaries, evangelists, and non-profit organizations.

His greatest legacy is the example he set for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly. It lives on because of his unwavering faith, his constancy, and his commitment to excellence.

Les was kind, generous, and faithful. Through his gentle and steadfast presence, he made certain that everyone in his family knew how deeply and unconditionally he loved them. There is something extraordinary about living 94 years and leaving behind generations of people who can say their lives are better because of the way one man loved them. Les did that!

He lived long enough to watch his offspring grow, and loved seeing new generations of Godwins arrive to carry forward his name and the values attached to it. Les wove his faith and love permanently into the fabric of his family, and he leaves with them a legacy that will continue for generations.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13) For Leslie Byron Godwin, there could be no more fitting epitaph—He loved deeply, and he was loved dearly!

Now that love remains in the family he built, in the lives he shaped, and in the example he set by faithfully giving himself to the Lord and to others.

Special appreciation for his wife, Debra’s, faithful companionship and care for Les during the last fifteen years. She brought much love and laughter to his life.

We also want to thank all of his Visiting Angels caregivers, especially Marie Desvarieux, and his care team from Accent Care Hospice.

Les was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Madden Godwin; son, Kerry Godwin; father, Hale Godwin; mother, Lois Burnside Godwin; sister, Imogene Wood; and brother, Hale Godwin (Ebba).

Les is survived by his wife, Debra Sampson Godwin; children, Cindy Morris (Keith), Kenny Godwin (Joanna), Joel Godwin (Tina Collins), Jesse Godwin (Joanna), Ben Godwin (Michelle), and Janna Mann (Christian). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica, Austin, Christi, Katherine, Micah, Nathan, Will, Anna, Emily, Matt, Gabe, Myles, Noah, and Karleigh; his great-grandchildren, McCord, Truett, Lindsay, Elliot, Eva, and Grace.

Les is also survived by his stepsons, Joel Dye (Melissa), Chris Caito (Kimberly), and Thomas Caito (Lyndsay), and step grandchildren, Jantz, Kali, Aubrey, Renner, Rowan, Harper, Hudson, Raeyah, Oliver, and Ryslynn.

Visitation will be held at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E LAKE AVE, TAMPA, FL 33610, US, on August 17, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location on August 17, 2026, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Garden of Memories Cemetery, E Lake Ave, Tampa, FL 33610, US, on August 18, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am.