Bill Leep
“GATHERING OF FRIENDS”
Bill Leep
The family of former Jacksonville City Councilman and real estate developer, Bill Leep, is hosting a “gathering of friends” to celebrate the life of our beloved Bill. This celebration will be held Saturday, September 1, 2012, in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
After a 2½ – year battle with leukemia, Bill passed away at Oregon Health and Science University hospital on July 10, 2012 in the arms of his fiancé, Jan Koenig. Friends, co-workers and anyone whose life was touched by Bill’s beautiful spirit, including all the children that he coached over the years, are invited to come and share stories and memories of his wonderful life of 57 years.
Bill’s family, along with his fiancé, Jan, would like to thank those of you who have sent cards, plants and donations to the charity of your choice under Bill Leep’s name or to the Bill Leep Fund to help cover the high medical expenses that Bill incurred during his prolonged illness.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to someone who is so special and who has been in your heart for so many years. Evelyn (Leep) Vohs of Jacksonville, wrote the following loving note on behalf of her son, Bill Leep:
Our dearest son, brother, fiancé, and father,
Answered God’s call July 10, 2012.
We tried to delay Bill’s last journey
But God said to him you must travel.
I have a lovely mansion awaiting you in Heaven
Free of all pain and life’s cares.
You see, God knew of Bill’s two year battle
With painful medical procedures and constant bed care.
Bill promised his mother
That he would fight the evil cancer to the bitter end.
He said I will never give up
And he endured what had to be done.
With a beautiful smile and kind spoken words,
To everyone who cared for him
The day finally came
He no longer had the strength to carry on.
He said Goodbye to his friends.
He drifted away in his sweetheart’s arms
He told his devoted sister “I love you Meri
For all you have done
You have given me your heart, dear sister,
But the cancer has won.”
I am leaving you for heaven
My work here is done.
I leave my beautiful Jan who is lying beside me.
She is with out a doubt my dearest love,
To me, she is my wife and I am the lucky one.
We will be together in God’s house for eternity.
To my dear family, good bye once again.
I’m sorry I could not stay longer.
I love you all and we will meet again.
Written for my Son Bill . I love you dearly. Mom
For more information about the September 1st gathering or about donating to the Bill Leep Fund, please feel free to contact Bill’s sister, Meri Haworth at 303-232-2462 or by email at bomooney@mindspring.com.