William Z. 'Boppa Bill' Leach

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Leach, William Z. "Boppa Bill" On Sun. morning Dec. 4, 2016 we lost the Dearest, Sweetest Husband, Father, Grand Dad/Boppa Bill, and Uncle Bill to many. A beautiful man, deeply loved, was surrounded by those he loved the most. Wm. Zimmerman Leach (84) born Nov. 14, 1932 to Elmore and Marie Leach, who preceded him in death, along with his only sibling Edward Leach and precious daughter Nancy Ann Schuller who has been waiting for him for almost 9 months. What a joyous reunion that must have been. Bill was a very proud 20 yr. Marine, a 30 yr. club member of the Mpls. Star Tribune, a 16 yr. volunteer of the Coon Rapids Fire Dept. and a 10 yr. employee of Rum River Golf Course. Survived by wife Dorrie (Dorothy) and beloved daughter Stephanie (Bobby) Carpenter, the Carpenter Kiddles, his best buddy and Yahtzee partner, "The Max"/Maxwell, his "Kayda Kakes" and his "Sweetie Sophers"/Sophie, also Nancy's 3 sons, our firstborn grandson Spencer Wm, Zachary (Ali) and Logan Michael (in the Armed Forces, Bop was so proud of that) and their father Carl. 7 great grandchildren, Our first born great grand, Hailey "Babe", Natalie, Aubrey, Evelyn, Hunter, Charlie and Isaac. His Leach nieces and nephew, Taree, Beth, Jane, Patty and Johnny. His Murphy cousins and his large collection of nieces and nephews (all Dorrie's family) that he loved like his own, especially our great niece Patty Pappas who has been a Godsend to our family and we love her like a daughter. Bill has been so sick this past year with kidney and heart problems it was a fun time to celebrate his 84th birthday Nov. 14th during his temporary stay at Homestead in Anoka. Thanks to the friends who joined our family, Peggy, Ginger and Jerry, Connie, Tiff and Antonio. A special shout out and big thank you Dr. Ryan Fey, Head of the burn unit at HCMC who saved Bill's badly burned leg almost 5 years ago. After two months in the hospital and 3 skin graft surgeries, he was still able to enjoy one last trip to his beloved Hawaii and several wonderful Canadian fishing trips with his best friend, Duane Soutor of St. Paul, who he met almost his first day in the Marines, and thank you to Rory Bochniak, big boat owner and Captain who put up with those two old foggies for so many years. Also a big thank you to all the hospice staff, so many wonderful people and Diane Cedarberg, long time lovable family friend who is our "Rock". Visitation Wed., Dec. 14th 4 to 7 pm at Washburn-McReavy, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd. Mass of Christian Burial Thurs., Dec 15th at 10:30 am (visitation one hour before) at Epiphany Catholic Church, 11001 Hanson Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN. Memorials preferred. Fort Snelling burial at a later date. We love and miss you dear Boppa, with all our hearts. Aloha and Semper Fi

Published on December 11, 2016