Memorials › Willie Leshikar Jr
Willie Leshikar Jr
2 Jan 1917 – 22 Jan 2002
| Birth | 2 Jan 1917 |
| Death | 22 Jan 2002 |
| Cemetery | City of Taylor Cemetery Taylor , Williamson County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | John Christeson on 10 Sep 2007 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19099750 |
Bio
Willie Leshikar Jr., 85, lifetime resident of Taylor passed away Tuesday night, January 22, 2002 at Johns Community Hospital. Family visitation will be 6-7 PM Friday, January 25, 2002. Celebration of Life Services will be 2 PM Saturday, January 26, 2002 at the Providence Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Ripple officiating. Burial will follow at the Taylor City Cemetery with a full military detail. Willie Leshikar Jr. was born January 2, 1917 to Willie Sr. and Adela (Chalupa) Leshikar in Taylor, Texas. Willie served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 1st Armored Division 91st Field Artillery Battalion, commanded by General George S. Patton. He rose to the rank of T 5th Grade Corporal. He received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct, Prisoner of War medals, American Defense Service Ribbon (pre Pearl Harbor), EAME Theatre Ribbon, one Battle Star, and six Overseas Bars. Willie drove a specially armored forward observer tank that spotted for field artillery in advance of other tank units. In a battle in Tunisia his tank was hit over eighteen times by German 88's and was wounded by shrapnel that pierced his tank. He continued fighting but was forced to abandon his tank due to mechanical failure in hostile territory. He evaded capture despite being severely injured in his knee, but was later captured on February 14, 1943. He was held in many P.O.W. Camps. He was forced into slave labor, frequently tortured, and starved. He was liberated on April 23, 1945. He was later honorably discharged on September 29, 1945. Despite living through the very worst of humankind, he was the most loving, generous, caring man anyone could know. He loved his family, hunting, fishing, outdoors, and his copenhagen. He will be dearly missed by all. Willie was married to Lorene Anna Grieger on July 25, 1946. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, D.A.V., and a fifty year member of the SPJST. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Lorene Leshikar of Taylor; two sons, Willie Leshikar III and wife, Yolanda and Bobby John Leshikar and wife, Beth, both of Taylor; two daughters, Maureen Lourcey and husband, Lou of Holland and Sandra Fikac of Caldwell; one brother, Hudson Leshikar and wife, Evelyn, of Taylor; three sisters, Dorothy Kaspar and husband, Joe, of Taylor, Adele Emrick of Hilliard, and Alma Barker of Corpus Christi; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Franklin Leshikar; one sister, Margaret Pavlik and husband, Joe; and one granddaughter, Sandy Lourcey. Pallbearers will be Jerry Leshikar, Bo Leshikar, Casey Lourcey, Cody Murphy, Justin Murphy, Eric Leshikar, and Kris Leshikar. Honorary pallbearers will be Devin Dubcak, Dylan Dubcak, Michael Dubcak, Brandy Lourcey, Hayden Lourcey, Kayla Leshikar, Scott Lutz, and Lance Eschberger. In lie of flowers memorials may be made to the Christ Fellowship Church Building Fund, 1517 McClain St., Taylor,TX. 76574. An online tribute to celebrate the life of Willie Leshikar Jr. has been established at www.Providencefuneralhome.com
Inscription
TEC 5 US ARMY WORLD WAR II PURPL.E HEART
Photos
Family
Parents
Spouse
Siblings
- Margaret M. Leshikar Pavlik 1915–1986
- Franklin Leshikar 1918–1934
- Alma Leshikar Barker 1919–2006
- Adale L Leshikar Emrick 1922–2005
- Hudson Leshikar 1925–2009
- Dorothy Jean Leshikar Kaspar 1935–2019
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