Leonard Earl Bay, 70, son of Charles and Lorene (Courtney) Bay, was born Feb. 25, 1946, in Success, Mo. He passed away Nov. 2, 2016, at his home in Willow Springs, Mo., surrounded by family and friends.
He grew up in Raymondville, Mo., and graduated Houston High School in 1964. He married Susie Wirebaugh in March 1966 and two children were born, Sheri and Carl. He later married Debbie Townley and to that union three children were born, Leonard, April and Tina.
Leonard entered the United States Army on June 24, 1970, and was honorably discharged June 15, 1973.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bay; his stepfather, Leburn Brackett; and a daughter, April Bay.
Surviving are his mother, Lorene Brackett of Mountain View, Mo.; his stepmom, Vida Bay of Willow Springs, Mo.; his loving companion, Amy Grogan of Willow Springs, Mo.; his children, Sheri Stanton and fiancee, Don, of Rushville, Ill., Carl Bay and wife, Robin, of Raymondville, Mo., Leonard Bay II of Houston, Mo., and Tina Dixon and husband, Ronnie, of Licking, Mo.; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Barbara White of Mansfield, Mo., Linda Taylor of Mountain View, Mo., and Carol Willder of Gladstone, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Leonard was baptized April 3, 2016, at Oak Grove Baptist Church and attended church there until his health failed.
Leonard drove a truck for many years. His CB handle was “Spoonbill.” He got that name from his love of fishing and snagging spoonbill back in the day. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time with family and friends.
He was a loving companion, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services were 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Evans Funeral Home with Pastor Jeff Brake officiating. Burial with full military rites was in Oakside Cemetery, Summersville, Mo., under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Carl Bay, Ronnie Dixon, Scott Stilley, Mike Brake, Taylor DeWolfe, Donald Neal and Trevor Richards.
Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 41 c/o Jack White, 539 Cleveland Road, Houston, Mo. 65483 or Oak Grove Baptist Church, Rt. 1 Box 2369, Birch Tree, Mo., 65438. To send an online condolence, please go to www.evansfh.com.