Mr. William (Bill) Benson Leichter, age 78, of Covington, Virginia, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at his residence.
He was the husband of Shirley Elizabeth Bryant Leichter.
Mr. Leichter was born April 15, 1935 in Moundsville, WV, the son of the late John Henry Leichter and Clara Jane Wendt Leichter.
Bill served his country as a member of the United States Army from April 28, 1958 until April 20, 1960.
He graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Natural Resource Management.
Bill was employed as a forester by the United States Forest Service, having previously worked at the Davey Crockett National Forest in Texas before coming to Covington to work in 1978 as the District Ranger for George Washington National Forest, James River District, until his retirement in 1990.
He was a member and past master of Hunter Lodge No. 135 and Shenandoah Royal Arch Chapter No. 17.
In addition to his wife of fifty-three years, Mr. Leichter is survived by one son, Ronald Dale Leichter and wife, Rebecca of Covington; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Leichter Higgins and husband, Mack of Clifton Forge; two grandchildren, Anthony "Tony" Dale Leichter and Shelby Elaine Leichter; one brother, Ronald Dwayne Leichter of Bloomington, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Leichter was preceded in death by five brothers.
A funeral service ws conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2014, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Hunter Hale officiating. Interment followed in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Graveside rites were conducted by the Covington Masonic Lodge #171 AF & AM.
Pallbearers were Ron Leichter, Tony Leichter, John Lofton, Chazy Nicely, Ron Swann and Alan Craft.
The family received friends Friday evening at Loving Funeral Home.
The family suggests that memorial tributes be made to the Alleghany Cancer Center Fund, C/O Marilyn Bailey, 109 Cliffview Drive, Covington, VA 24426, Iron Gate Baptist Church, P. O. Box 193, Iron Gate, VA 24448 or Mountain Regional Hospice, P. O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.
