Leonard  D. Lay

Leonard D. Lay, son of Roy Ludwin Lay and Nova Belle (Woolsey) Lay was born on February 28, 1928 in Clear Springs MO and departed this life on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, WY with family by his side. He was 87 years old. He was united in marriage to Alice Marie (Mitchell) on November 7, 1946 at First Baptist Church, Mountain View, MO. Three daughters were born to this union, Pamela, and twins Paula and Penny. Preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Alice (Mitchell) Lay and his parents, Roy and Nova, Siblings include, Phyliss Davis, Iris Stinson (Lewis), Ivan & (Mary)Lay, Wanda Smith, Lavon (Bill) Williams, Hillard Lay. He is survived by his three daughters, Pamela Charles, husband Rick of Blue Springs, MO, Paula Cantrell and husband Lyle of Plato, MO and Penny Collins and husband Andy of Independence. He has 8 Grandchildren, Patrick & (Alicia) Charles, of St. Louis MO. Len & (Grace) Charles of Blue Springs, Julie (Cantrell) Parrish of Plato, MO, Clifton & (Kayla) Cantrell of Plato, MO, Caylen Cantrell of Branson, MO, Caleb Cantrell, of Plato, MO. Ian Collins of Independence MO and Lane Collins of Independence MO. He also has 6 great granddaughters Adrianna Charles, Claire Charles, Aubrey Cantrell, Ailee Cantrell, Eleanor Charles, and Adley Cantrell, and two great grandsons, Andrew & Austin Parrish. He is also survived by one brother, Trevis and wife, Norma Lay of Cole Camp, Brother-in-law George Smith of Willow Springs, Sister-in-laws, Stella Mitchell Wilcox of Farmington, MO and Dorthea Mitchell Stuart of Tenino, WA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and family. He also is survived by his wife Ella “Wave” Nelson of the home in Laramie Wyoming and her daughters, Amy and (Mike) Ernst of Laramie WY, Lisa Eva and husband Jack, and Bobbi, and husband Mike Bull of WI and seven grandchildren: Sydney & Kristen Ernst, Becca & Casey Eva of Laramie, WY and Kyle, Dylan, Shannon of Menasha, WI. Leonard began his work career at the age of 13 by logging in Colorado, following by the fruit picking in California. He also had work experience at the Dry Cleaning Business before he served in U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After his service in the military he worked with Viking Refrigeration, followed by City Service Oil Company, Citgo, and Gulf Oil. He volunteered for the United States Forrest Service since 1985 serving as campground host, sanitation pickup/drivers and ended up at the Brush Creek Visitor Center, Saritogo WY. He made many friends along the way. He never met a stranger and was always in for an adventure, fishing trip or a good story about the mountains he loved. He loved reading to the great granddaughters, and woodworking. He enjoyed feeding the birds and knowing lots of the different kinds of birds, flowers and trails for many to enjoy the great outdoors of Missouri and Wyoming.