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Edward L. Leland, 88 of Billings, died Saturday,
September 1, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family.
The son of Walter J and Daisy Leland, Ed was born
September 30, 1918 in Atchison County, Kansas. He received a
bachelors degree in economics from Kansas State University and
worked for the Department of Commerce in Washington DC before
serving in the Navy during WWII. Following the war Ed moved to
Billings where he was the Water Resources Economist for the Bureau
of Reclamation until his retirement in 1980. He had been involved in
dam construction throughout Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota.
On August 15, 1964, he married Claire Shoop in
Billings, blending their two families.
Family was very important to Ed and together they
enjoyed camping, fishing and canoeing. He was pleased to have made
eight trips to Alaska fishing. Ed was involved in the Boy Scouts for
many years serving as troop leader and on the Yellowstone Valley and
Montana Council. He received the Silver Beaver Award in recognition
of his outstanding dedication of service to scouting. He was a
charter member and Elder of Central Christian Church where he had
served on numerous committees and as board chairman. In retirement
Claire and Ed enjoyed traveling the country in their motor home and
were active in their RV Club.
Survivors include his wife Claire of Billings, 6
children, Edward L. Leland of Billings, Rick Leland (Chris) of Grand
Rapids, MI, Doug Leland (Julie) of Denver, CO, Barbara Prestrud
(Jay) of Billings, Gayle Brakke (Dennis) of Salt Lake City, UT, and
Gary McClintock (Roxie) of Billings, three sisters, Dorothea Huff of
Portland, OR., Alice Cooper, St. John KS, and Hope Holmes of
Albuquerque, NM, 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is
preceded in death by his daughter Patricia A. Leland in 1965, his
parents, brother Walter John Leland, and a grandchild.
The family will greet friends at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary from 6:30 to 8:00pm Tuesday evening.
Funeral services will be 2:00pm Wednesday at Central Christian
Church with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank Big Sky Hospice for
the wonderful care they provided to Ed.
Memorials may be made to Big Sky Hospice, PO Box
35033, Billings, MT 59107 or Central Christian Church, 1221 16th
St W, Billings, MT 59102. |