Clarence R. Leonard, 99, of 360 Bolivar Drive Bradford, met his wife and Jesus at heaven’s gate on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.
Born April 3, 1918 in Bradford, he was a son of the late William J. and Myrtle (Roberts) Leonard.
He was a 1939 honors graduate of Bradford High School.
On June 25, 1939, in the Grace Methodist Church in Meadville he married Elizabeth Rachel (Bundy) Leonard who died January 4, 2013.
Clarence entered military service in February 3, 1944 and was deployed overseas with the Co. A 1st Battalion 313th and 79th Infantry Regiment. During his military service, he worked as a Co. Clerk and Radio Man. His company landed in Normandy and he was involved in several major battles on D-Day. Three days after the Battle of the Bulge he served as part of a 6 man spy team. He was wounded twice, received one Purple Heart, The Victory Medal, Good Conduct and European-African Middle Eastern Ribbon with 2 bronze Stars and was honorably discharged from the US Army.
Clarence worked for the Texaco Service Station on Jackson Ave. before WWII. He returned to Community Filling Station, owned by Morgan Frampton, formerly the Texaco Station, for a total of 32 years. He then went to work at the Kendall Filling Station on East Main St. in 1973, until Kendall closed the station. He then went to work at the Kendall Refinery, doing inventory. He was transferred to Youngsville and retired from Kendall after 17 years of service.
He was a founding member of the Tuna Valley Free Methodist Church and served as trustee, secretary, treasurer, head usher, and lead the Men's Fellowship Group. He was currently a member of the First Free Methodist Church.
Surviving are three daughters, Vonda Leonard, of Ben Salem, Elizabeth Sharon Ann Case, of Bradford and Joycelyn 'Joey' Leonard-Staton, of Westerville, Ohio, 7 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; a sister, Beulah Harris, of McMurray and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sisters, Luella Leonard, Vola Sederburg and Kathryn Witherow, and 3 brothers, Robert, Franklin and William Leonard, Jr.
Friends are invited to call from 2-4 & 6-8 PM, Saturday, April 22, 2017 in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc., East Main St. Funeral and committal services will be at 2:00 PM, Sunday, April 23, 2017 in the First Free Methodist Church, with Rev. Robert Brest, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in McKean Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the First Free Methodist Church programs or to the charity of the donor's choice.
On line condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com