William Edward Leece

William (Bill) Edward Leece, 85, passed away September 14th at his home in Lafayette, surrounded by his family. Bill was born on March 15, 1925 in Quincy, Illinois. He was the only son and oldest of three children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gifford and Edith Leece, his son, John Leece, and his sister, Helen Hoyer. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Stockstill Leece, and his six children Edith (Edie) Fitzgerald and husband Rich, Virginia (Gigi) Fontenot and husband Ty, Stanley Leece, Mary Margaret (Mimi) Leece, David Leece and wife Joan, Matthew Leece and wife Julie, seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his sister Florence Mullins. Bill graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Yale University. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. during World War II and served as a First Lieutenant in the Korean War. He was awarded both the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. Bill was an entrepreneur in the oil field industry and one of the founders of Comet Drilling Co. and Completion Services. He was LAGCOE Looey in 1971. He was actively involved in community service and outreach through SCORE, Boy Scouts of America, and Junior Achievement. He was a member of Our Savior's Church and the associated men's ministries. Bill's faith and commitment to serve Christ was the motivating factor in his life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was an avid supporter of Christian education throughout Acadiana, dedicated to spreading the Gospel through Gideon's International, and demonstrated a Christ-like compassion to those in need whenever and wherever he met them. The family would like to thank Dr. Gene Brierre, Dr. Robert Carroll, Dr. Richard Broussard, Rachel Stutes, and the staff of Hospice of Acadiana for their loving care. Visitation hours will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Dr., Lafayette and on Thursday, September 16, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Church, 1201 E. Broussard Rd., Lafayette. Memorial services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. following the visitation. Interment will be at the Methodist Cemetery, Resweber Rd, St. Martinville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to The Gideon's International, The Hope Center Outreach of Our Savior's Church, or Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Leece family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

William Edward Leece

March 15, 1925 - September 14, 2010