Willa Leach

alignjustify Willa Cook Leach passed from this life on January 8, 2007, at her home in Albuquerque, following a long illness. The closed casket funeral service will be held at Steed-Todd Funeral Home on Saturday, January 13 at 2:00 PM, followed by interment in Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens, both in Clovis, New Mexico. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and close friends. Mr. Brett McCasland will conduct the memorial services.

alignjustify In 1908, her father, Thomas J. Cook, moved his family from Weatherford, Texas, to Rileys Switch, Territory of New Mexico, in order to work for the Santa Fe Railroad. Willa Cook was born May 17, 1910 in Rileys Switch, which later became Clovis.

alignjustify Willa Bill or Billie as she was often called was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She and her sister Jewel were baptized in 1922 when the Church was located at Ninth and Connelly Streets.

alignjustify She married Ray Leach on July 21, 1934 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1984. They farmed in the Wheatland-Broadview community, but mostly lived in Clovis after 1947. Ray was active in the livestock sales market, business, and real estate. They both owned and operated the Village Gift shop for several years. She was active in church work and volunteered as a Graylady. She enjoyed gardening, making ceramics, and various other activities. They both enjoyed traveling and were very involved in the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club.

alignjustify Mrs. Leach is survived by two children, Tommie Harris of Rio Rancho NM and Eddie Leach of Jonesborough TN; eight grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

alignjustify Her husband, Ray, passed away December 29, 1986 after 52 years of marriage. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Jasper Cook and Frances Floyd Seay Cook; two brothers, Thomas Hartsell Cook and Carl Laverne Cook; two sisters, Ruby Lee Cook Looper and Jewel Cleon Cook McFarland; and a niece and two nephews.

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