Leon Willie Obituary

Leon (Lee) Willie was born in Gurley, Nebraska on 11/21/19 to Louis and Catherine (Rademacher) Willie. He was one of 7 children. Lee graduated from Cathedral High school in Lincoln, Nebraska. He went on to attend University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Lee enlisted in the National Guard prior to WWII. When war broke out he was sent to Europe where he was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. After extensive hospital rehabilitation he was assigned to the Army Language Institute at the Presidio in Monterey, Ca. He became fluent in Turkish and was assigned to Army Intelligence in Korea Germany and Turkey. While in Izmir, Turkey, Lee met his future wife Barbara Cleerman who was teaching at the armed forces, dependent school. The couple married on June 29, 1968. After retiring from the army the couple moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Lee worked for Blue Shield. He retired in 1974 and the couple moved to Rancho Bernardo, California. In 1989 they moved to Colorado Springs where Lee had lived during his early childhood. Lee belonged to numerous organizations in Colorado Springs; American Legion, BPO Elks No 309, VFW post 4051 and Military Offices Association of America. Lee is preceded in death by his parents Louis and Catherine Willie. His brother Dan Willie, Josephine Arth, Sophie Ennis and Betty Lou Loudon. Lee is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughter Sara, granddaughter and great granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother Reynold and sister, Vivian Watson and many loving nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Pointsetta Dr., Colorado Springs on Saturday, February 9th beginning with a rosary at 10:00 AM. Memorials in Lee's name can be made to Pike Peak Hospice and the Assistance League of Colorado Springs "Operation School Bell".