Bill Leader

Bill D. Leader, 90, Seneca, MO, passed into eternal rest Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the Seneca House Nursing Home after a long illness. Billie Dean Leader was born August 12, 1925 in Newton County, MO the son of Barton Clarence and Emma Amanda (Roark) Leader.  Bill graduated from Seneca High in 1943 and went into the armed services in 1944 where he served tours in both the European and Pacific Theaters from 1944-1946. In April 1946 Bill was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Springfield, MO. Bill was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He worked in Production Control for the former Rocketdyne / Teledyne plant in Neosho, MO retiring March 31,1984. He was a Master Mason with Masonic Lodge #247 in Neosho and a member of the Seneca Christian Church.  Billie Dean Leader married Norma Mahan October 21, 1944 in Bentonville, AR and she preceded him in death July 26, 2015. Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bob Leader, two sisters, Mildred Lankford and Lavern Darr, and one grandson Matthew Johnson.  Survivors include three daughters, Connie Smith and husband Charlie, Seneca, MO, Linda Bormaster and husband Rick, Joplin, MO and Debbie Johnson and husband Jim, Afton, OK; 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.  Funeral service under the personal direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at the Seneca Christian Church with Doug Lawson and Truman Brady officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery with grandsons serving as pallbearers. Military Rites will be held at the committal service at the cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 pm, Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Seneca Christian Church.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Seneca Christian Church Building Fund in care of the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, PO Box 380, Seneca, MO 64865.