Baxter A�""Bill"" Lease

Baxter “Bill” W. Lease, age 72, of Grove City, MN, died on Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the St. Cloud Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater, MN with Pastor Dan Belgum-Blad officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN. Interment will be at Eagle Lake Cemetery in Willmar, MN at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Baxter “Bill” William Lease, was born on July 6, 1937, the son of William and Lottie Lease in York, PA. He grew up and received his education in Anaheim, CA. In high school he excelled in sports including baseball and football. He enlisted in the US Air Force as a radar technician where he served for 10 years and was stationed various places throughout the world. Bill met Beverly Pierce in Willmar, MN and they were married on September 15, 1957 in Iowa at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. In 1990, he married Terry Howard in Grove City, MN. Bill was a self employed master craftsman for many years. He enjoyed working in construction and with wood. He was also an over the road truck driver and most recently the operations manager for the Lease Companies in Litchfield. Bill was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Atwater. He enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, golfing, fishing, shooting pool, camping and sports. He also enjoyed cooking his specialties, making home made donuts, watching TV and playing video games. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and will be remembered for his goodhearted jokes. Bill is survived by his wife Terry of Grove City, MN; children Michael (and Chick) Lease of Watkins, MN, Mark (and Darcy) Lease of Litchfield, MN, Jonathan (and Penny) Lease of Litchfield, MN, Daniel (and Heather) Lease of Litchfield, MN, David (and Deanna) Lease of Eden Valley, MN, Steven (and Heather) Lease of Grove City, MN and Sarahann (and Blaine Adams) Lease of Grove City, MN; step-sons David (and Tanisha) Olson of Grove City, MN and Kevin (and Bridgette) Olson of Grand Forks, ND; 13 grandchildren Kelly, Amber (and Brett), Joshua (and Amanda), Christopher, Mathew, Joshua (and Stacey), Taylor, Ashley, Austin, Ethan, Kierra, Mitchell and Mariah; 5 great grandchildren Wyatt, Ryder, Jack, Carter and Olivia; step-father Gerry Butler of CA; step-sister Michealyn Mize of CA; grandmother Sara Lease of PA; aunt Charlotte Lease of PA and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife Beverly in 1985; his parents William and Lottie; a sister Darlene and his grandfather Glen.