Bill died peacefully at his home on Dec. 18th at the age of 92. Bill and his twin sister Betty were born in Missoula in 1921 and grew up on their parents’ apple orchard. After graduating from high school in Wash. D.C., he attended Univ. of Montana where he was the quarterback for the Grizzlies back when they played in the Pacific Coast League against Washington, USC and UCLA in the L.A. Coliseum. He was offered a chance to try out for the NY Giants, but enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was a 2nd Lt- Pilot on the European front. He was awarded an air medal for flying troops and supplies for the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944 and flying a glider across the German line in Operation Varsity.
After the war and graduating from Harvard Law School, he brought his competitive edge back to Montana as a trial attorney where he thrived on representing the underdog and challenging public utilities. He was one of the founders of the MT Trial Lawyers Assoc. Pres. of MTLA 76-77 and was awarded the 1999 Life Time Achievement Award. Bill practiced law in Helena for 60+ years.
He was an enthusiastic skier, golfer and outdoorsman, with epic stories of fishing on Seeley Lake with Rev. McLean of “A River Runs Through it” fame.
Bill met his match in confidence and wit in Corne’ Murphy- his wife of 56 years. He and Corne’ made their home in Helena where they raised their three children, Bill, Karen and Susan.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Corne’ in 2006 and his son-in-law Mike Mikota. He is survived by his sisters Betty Dratz, and Mary Carter both of Missoula; children: Bill Leaphart (Babs), Karen Mikota and Susan Leaphart; grandchildren, Abe & Brigit Mikota, Rebecca Leaphart (Ben Brouwer), Retta Leaphart (Jeremy Osborn), Ada Leaphart, and his faithful golden doodle, Guillaume, and Timer, the Great Pyrennes.
“It takes a village” is more than a platitude.
The family would like to acknowledge the assistance of Nightingale Nursing and Hospice of St. Pete’s in helping Dad to remain in his home.
A particular note of gratitude to Dad’s long-time nurse and fellow baseball fan Marie Lavinder, for her extraordinary care and optimism. And thanks to the recent “November-December” team of caregivers whose professionalism and kindnesses provided us with an opportunity to rest at night: Shelby King, Jasmine Lucero-Benevides, Angie Hinman, and Michelle Suero.
Dr. Karen Cody and Dr. Ken Carpenter offered care and comfort both to Dad and to us during times we most needed it.
Our great appreciation to Karen Moore for her devotion to our parents and her endless patience with us over these many years. And, our thanks to Jan Hulme, whose belief in Dad’s own ability to mend and to move forward helped him to do just that until the moment that he died.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street in Helena at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28th, 2013 with a reception to follow at the Montana Club 24 West 6th Avenue. Memorials in Bill’s name are suggested to an organization of charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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