William Edward Leigh

Longtime Siskiyou County resident, William Edward “Bill” Leigh, passed away peacefully at his home in Yreka with his loving wife, Patti, by his side on January 20, 2017. Bill was born on March 28, 1939 to Edward and Viola Leigh in Vallejo. He graduated from Vallejo High School in 1957 and married Carmela Piccolo in 1958. He built, owned, and operated Paisano Pizzeria, and then Caesar’s Italian Restaurant. During his years in Vallejo, he built many apartments and duplexes and was a member of the Vallejo Beautification Committee. He served as a Vallejo Planning Commissioner in the early 1970’s and was the director of the Soap Box Derby in the 1980’s – even taking a crew to the championship in Akron, Ohio. Bill met and married his wife Patricia (Maguire) “Patti” Leigh in 1984. The couple moved from Vallejo to McCloud in 1985. There, they owned and operated The McCloud Guest House and Country Inn until 1999. Bill was a “jack of all trades” and preferred to be busy. When the couple moved to Yreka, he took his culinary skills to various local restaurants. He also spent several years learning the HVAC trade while working for Ray-Mac Mechanical. A born helper, Bill enjoyed his final working years as a “Helpful Hardware Man” at Yreka’s ACE Hardware store. He also spent a year or two helping out as a volunteer member of the South Yreka Firemen’s Auxiliary. Bill believed that hard work made you successful. He was a mentor to many, and anyone who worked for or with him will tell you that although he was ‘tough’ and ‘by the book’; he had the softest heart of gold. To this day they still carry the important life lessons and work ethic that he taught them. There were many endearing names for Bill…he was known as “Papa Bill” by so many, as well as “Will de Ham” and “Wild Bill” by others. Bill is preceded in death by his mother, Viola Rawlinson Morey, his stepfather, Arthur Morey, and his biological father, Edward Lincoln Leigh. Bill is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patti Leigh; his daughter, Gina Leigh (Bill Trujillo) of Vallejo; a sister, Arvis (Ralph) Northrop; and two grandchildren, Tawny Leigh-Perez and Vincent Leigh-Trujillo, as well as many other extended family members and friends. Cremation will be private and the family plans to have a memorial mass and celebration of his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bill’s favorite charity: The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to The Fairchild Medical Center Foundation in Yreka, or to the South Yreka Firemen’s Auxiliary.

William Edward Leigh

March 28, 1939 - January 20, 2017