Leon Willie Reeder

Leon Willie Reeder, 94, of La Grange, died Sunday, March 1, 2015. Leon was born in Coupland on May 10, 1920, the son of Willie and Nellie (Luetge) Reeder. On Sept. 29, 1941, he married his beloved wife, Bessie, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Grange, where they continued to be members for the remainder of their lives. Leon entered the United States Army Air Force in July of 1943 and served as an airplane and engine mechanic until Feb. of 1946, when he was honorably discharged as Cpl. Leon W. Reeder of the 328th Army Air Force Base Unit. On Dec. 24, 1946, Leon and Bessie were blessed with the arrival of their only son, Kenneth. Leon spent several years working for Adamcik’s in La Grange and eventually opened his own heating and air conditioning business known as “Reeder’s Air Conditioning and Heating” in 1970. He retired from this business in 1985. Leon was also active in the American Legion serving as Commander and as a past president of the Texas Ten-Pin Bowling Association. His hobbies included bowling, gardening and spending time in various casinos with family and friends. Leon will always be remembered as being a wonderful husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He is survived by daughter- in-law, Carolyn Reeder of Pflugerville; two granddaughters: Lori Helmers and husband, Brian, of Austin; Lisa Pawlik and husband, Randall of Austin and two great grandsons, Noah and Jacob Helmers. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Bessie, and son, Kenneth Reeder. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 12 to 6:30 p.m. at Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange. Family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Grange, Texas, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015 Burial will follow at La Grange City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, Austin County Chapter, in memory of Kenneth Reeder, c/o Vernice Luhn, 1710 Meissner Rd., Bellville, Texas 77418. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.