William Leggett Obituary

William David "Dave" Leggett, Jr. passed away March 26, 2013. Born to William "Bill" Leggett and Gladys (Hinig) Leggett September 18, 1933. Dave grew up in New Philadelphia, Ohio where he overcame childhood polio and became a gifted athlete. Dave lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track during his high school years. Attending Ohio State University on a basketball scholarship, Dave walked on the Buckeye football team under Woody Hayes and the rest is history...literally. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol "Petie" Williams, on August 1st, 1954 right before his senior year at Ohio State. Under his leadership as quarterback, the Buckeyes went undefeated that year and won the 1955 Rose Bowl against USC 20-7; Dave was named Most Valuable Player and the Buckeyes were National Champions. Dana was born 10 days before college graduation, which was also the same day he broke 80 in golf for the first time. After a short stint with the Chicago Cardinals, where he was a seventh round draft choice, he was called to active duty in the Air Force to fulfill his ROTC commitment. After two years in the Air Force he returned to the Cardinals briefly and went on to play Canadian football with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. Scott was born while he was in Canada. Though professional sports ended for him then he would be involved in sports for the rest of his life. Back in the Air Force, now in Colorado, he would organize and facilitate sporting events, tournaments and matches of every kind all over the country and during a three-year tour in Germany. While in Germany Dave coached and played for the Rhein Main Rockets, winning the US Air Force Europe Championship the last two years. Returning stateside in 1968, he was stationed at the Air Force Academy where he was an assistant coach under Ben Martin. It was as a result of his recruiting trips for the Falcons that he and Petie became very close to several of his recruits who they affectionately called their bonus kids. During all this time Dave was an avid golfer and later a long time member of Colorado Springs Country Club, winning the club championship in 1983. He also loved playing cards, supporting himself in college by playing poker, and later he and Petie were avid bridge players. After leaving the Air Force Dave managed Oldach Home Improvement Center and then put his business degree to good use when he joined EF Hutton as a broker. He later formed Leggett Financial under Linsco Private Ledger where he worked until retirement in 2005. For all the glamour and fame of his athletic and professional careers Dave will best be remembered by his family as the devoted husband, Dad, and Papa that he was. Always the optimist and encourager he dove into life and lived it to the fullest. He was a favorite of all the neighborhood children as they lined up to play when he came home from work. As mentioned before, Cadets he sponsored became part of the family. His many friends held a special place in his heart. His kindness, friendship, guidance, coaching and love touched many lives. None will miss him more than his devoted wife and caregiver to the end, Petie. Dave is preceded in death by sisters Thelma Leggett and Helen Smith; son Mitchel Leggett; and granddaughter Ashley Zimmerman. He is survived by his bride of 58 years, Carol "Petie" Williams Leggett; brothers Norman Leggett and Richard Leggett (Donna); daughter Dana Zimmerman; son Scott Leggett (Ann); grandchildren Andi Hammond (Drew), Kelli Baptist (Tim), Katie Johnson (Marcus), Nic Leggett, and Jordan Leggett; and great-grandchildren Eva Baptist and Dante Baptist. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Dave's life on Thursday, April 4th at Sunrise United Methodist Church at 1:00, with a reception to follow at the Colorado Springs Country Club. It is requested by the family that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.