Bill passed away at the Spokane Veterans Home on March 17, 2013. He was born Nov. 30, 1925, in Republic, Mo., to Flora Keltner Leisi McAlister and Ralph Leisi.
He entered the Marine Corps at age 17 and served from 1943 to 1945. He served in the Pacific Theater and received three purple hearts.
He worked in many industries, most notably as a livestock nutritionist and an archery equipment production manager. He was active in the Idaho Wildlife Federation, a 50-year member of the National Field Archery Association (NFAA), and was an active square and round dancer for about 20 years. He was an Idaho field archery champion and a runner-up on the national scene.
He was an active fisherman, hunter and enjoyed the outdoors in many ways. His most precious awards were his purple hearts, his mounted fish, his 50-year NFAA pin and several awards in the dance world.
He is survived by his wife, Nina, of Cheney, Wash.; son, Warren Leisi of Asotin, Wash.; daughter, Carolyn Leisi of Sun Valley, Nev.; adopted daughter, Lonnie Pamploma of Everett, Wash.; brother, Richard McAlister of Brier, Wash.; and sisters Elizabeth Hiveley of Sandwich, Ill., and Barbara Bailey of Odem, Texas. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held later in the spring. Memorials may be sent to the Spokane Veterans Home, Northwest Honor Flight or the Timothy Boggs Memorial Scholarship Fund.
