William A. Leonard, Jr "Bill" of Jay, VT passed away peacefully on April 14, 2015 in Newport. He was born on December 20, 1943 in Manchester, CT to William and Helen Leonard. He was a machinist and carpenter. He worked many years in CT, and at Butterfields and at Ethan Allen as a machinist. For ten years he was a carpenter building many homes in the area including homes for both daughters. In retirement he drove for Fisher Auto and Green Mountain Electric.
He loved being with his family, he enjoyed coin collecting, motorcycling, camping, NASCAR and being outside.
He was a founding member and firefighter on the Jay Fire Department. He was a Captain and Lieutenant for 25 years. He was also proud of his wife being the first woman firefighter in the area. He was a member of Mutual Aid, a Jay Forest Warden for 25 years and a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association for 10 years.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra Leonard of Jay, VT, by his daughters: Kathy Murphy and her husband Dave of Jay, VT, Cindy Vincent Goodyear and her husband Matt of Jay, VT, and by his son William B. Leonard and his wife Betty of Newport Center, VT, by his grandchildren Dawn Waters and her husband Lenny of Glen Falls, NY, Steven Murphy and his friend Kassy of Jay, VT, Seth Vincent and fiancé Mel Ryea of North, Troy, VT,Jenna Vincent of Jay, VT, Brittany and Paige Leonard of Newport Center, VT. He was awaiting the arrival of his first great granddaughter in July. He is also survived by his siblings: Edward Leonard and his wife Vern of NY, Clifford Leoanrd and his wife Jackie of CT, Sandy and her huband Roger of CT, Patty of MA, by his brother-in-law John and his wife Rhonda of CT, and by several nieces and nephews. He will be really missed by his best friend, his dog, Ginger.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law Christopher Vincent in 2007, by his parents William and Helen Leoanrd, and his special grandparents William and Rose Leonard all of CT.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday April 18, 2015 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport, with the Rev. Rick Shover officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday April 18, 2015 from 12 Noon until the hour of the funeral. Interment will take place at a later date. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Jay Fire Department, in care of Steve Murphy, 357 Partridge Hollow Road, Jay, VT 05859. On-line condolences at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday April 18, 2015, 2:00 PM at Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford