Wilsie "Leon" Hubbard

Born on March 21, 1941, to Bertha and Wilsie Hubbard, Wilsie Leon Hubbard lived a full and fruitful 85 years, always keeping his priorities simple - faith, family, service to others, hard work, and plenty of fun and play.

Leon lived in El Dorado Springs, Missouri, until the family moved to Kansas City in 1956. He went to Westport High School for two years (where he was the mascot) and then graduated in 1959 from William Chrisman High School in Independence, Missouri. During high school, Leon frequently traveled back to his hometown of El Dorado Springs where he met his forever love, Patricia Joan Hill. Leon and Pat married on July 23, 1960. They spent the next 65 years proving that sometimes “you just get it right the first time”.

Together they raised four children; Beth, Dirk, Janet, and Carrie — and Leon got to work building a life worthy of the family he loved. From 1960 to 1982 he owned a house painting company, training scores of employees over the years and treating them like family. Leon then founded Hubbard Enterprises, and from 1982-2000 built more than 200 houses for families in Blue Springs and beyond. He always built his houses, big and small, with great detail, skill, and care, winning many Parade of Homes Awards for their high quality and value. Leon always said that while he built the house, the family who moved in made it a home.

In 1979, Leon and Pat decided they should welcome Roberto Gurgel, an 18-year-old foreign exchange student from Brazil, into their home. It was just supposed to be for the school year, but what developed was a life-long loving relationship. Roberto and his family became part of Leon’s forever family from that point forward.

Leon was a true leader, always civic-minded and eager to give to others and his community. He was active for 20+ years in the Blue Springs Jaycees and was once named Blue Springs Man of the Year for his charity and service work. He was elected to the Blue Springs City Council and held office from 1976-1984. He also did volunteer work for many charities, including painting for Healing House KC and building a Habitat for Humanity home in Grain Valley, Missouri. Leon wasn't the kind of man who sat still. He was the kind of man who showed up and stayed busy, constantly helping many family members, friends, and community members.

Leon lived out his faith. He was a member of the Community of Christ church for most of his life. But later in life, in a quiet but meaningful chapter in his story, Leon converted to Catholicism — the faith Patricia had carried her whole life. After decades of going to separate churches, they finally walked through the same doors together on Sunday mornings. When asked why he wanted to become Catholic, Leon responded, “Because I want to take Communion with my wife.”

As a young man, Leon loved playing baseball with his best friends Jerry and Art, but he admitted the hardest ball he ever hit was a foul ball that struck a teammate in the on deck circle. He played men’s softball and sponsored youth teams for many years, and he loved his local sports teams, especially the Royals. When Kansas City made it to the 2014 World Series, Leon showed up at the games to celebrate the right way. He wore his 1985 World Series hat and had "KC" shaved into the back of his head. This 73 year-old was so cool that many folks were asking to have their picture taken with him, including Marlin Man! Leon also loved the time he got to be on the field at Kauffman Stadium when they were installing new sod that Roberto had developed.

Leon was a sportsman who enjoyed bird hunting, but fishing was his lifelong pursuit. He was the greatest fisherman ever (at least in Missouri history), and much of his time spent with family and friends centered around fishing, camping, and boating in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. When he was nearing retirement in 1993, Leon and Pat bought a lakehouse at Truman Lake where they would welcome family and friends for the next 20+ years. Fishing was where Leon was in his element. Out on the water, catching crappie, bass, and catfish; he would fish every single day if you let him. In the year 2003 alone, over 1,600 crappie were caught in his boat. That wasn't unusual. That was just Leon fishing. He taught and made fishing a reality for all of his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, as well as many others informally adopted into his fishing family. And if you were lucky enough to spend a day on the lake with him, you know that Leon was almost always humming or singing old songs like "True Blue Bill" and "Who Broke the Lock" while drifting out on water.

Leon was quite the showman. He could dance and he could sing. And if there was a microphone nearby, you can bet he’d grab it! He was the life of every room he walked into, but his real gift was with kids. He had a way of lighting them up — playful, sincere, always working for a smile or a laugh. He loved little babies. He loved his grandkids. He loved to make them smile!

On June 3, 2026, Leon took his final breath. He was surrounded by all of his children and his love, Patricia. Leon is now reunited and rejoicing in Heaven with his father, Wilsie Hubbard, his mother, Bertha Hubbard, and his grandson, Reece Hubbard (and many other family and friends). He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children — Beth Sevart (Joe), Dirk Hubbard (Karen), Janet Clark (Doug), and Carrie Lock (Dale); his brothers Ronald Hubbard (Joann), Terry Hubbard, and Ray Hubbard (Tammy); nine grandchildren — Matt Sevart (Jen), Megan Sevart Culbertson (Chris), Logan Hubbard Knox (Blaine), Zane Clark (Elizabeth), Kyle Lock (Maddie), Rachel Lock Herrera (Miguel), Jacob Clark, and Adam Lock (Juliet), and nine great-grandchildren – Olivia, Owen, Hank, Auggie, Leon, Ellis, Flora, Crandall, and Teddy -- with more on the way.

While the milestones here offer a glimpse into Leon’s story, it is ultimately the way he lived each and every ordinary day that defines his legacy. Wilsie Leon Hubbard lived a meaningful life — with people he loved, on a lake he cherished, rooting for his team, and making sure everyone around him knew they mattered. Those who loved him will always be grateful for his presence in their lives and will miss him very much.

Services for Leon will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at Speaks Suburban Chapel in Independence, Missouri. Visitation begins at 2:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. A meal for family and friends will follow at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City or Healing House KC, both are charities where Leon did paint and construction volunteer work. secure.habitat.org or healinghouse.org.