Wiley Leonard

Wiley Leonard, age 94, made his peaceful transition on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Wittenberg Village, Crown Point, Indiana.  Wiley was born April 22, 1926, in Ensley Alabama.  The only son of Wiley Leonard, Sr. and Electra (Gibson) Leonard.  Wiley attended Fairfield Industrial High School in Fairfield, Alabama, where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy M. Cain.  Wiley graduated from Fairfield Industrial High School and received a football scholarship from Tennessee A.& I State.  After two years at Tennessee A.& I., Wiley and Dorothy married and the newlyweds moved to Gary, Indiana where life began for the Leonard family.  From this union six girls were born.  Wiley was a devoted husband, father and friend while working more than 35 years at U.S. Steel Works.  As a lifetime member of Greater St. James A.M.E. Church, Wiley joined the choir and held the position of Trustee.  He was committed to God, faith, and his family.  Wiley was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy Leonard; his parents, Wiley and Electra Leonard; sisters, Mariola Earl, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Johnson, and Johnnie Marble.  He leaves to celebrate his life, one surviving sister, Rose Black; 6 daughters, Kathleen Wilson, Mariola Williams, Beverly Leonard, Phyllis (Richard) Wingfield, Sharon Leonard (Saleem), and Wanda Pettigrew; 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and a host of nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews, great- great nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.  A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. from Ridgelawn Funeral Home 4201 West Ridge Road Gary, Indiana 46408.  Due to Covid-19, gathering will be limited to 50 people. Mandatory mask policy will be in effect.

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