Leonard Eugene Neil Sr.
Leonard Eugene “Bill” (“Wild Bill”) Neil Sr., 85, of Scenery Hill, died Wednesday, November 16, 2022, in his home. He was born March 31, 1937, in Washington, a son of the late Wilfred Conkle Neil and Helen Gladys Brownlee Neil.
He was a graduate of Washington High School. He then went on to serve in the United States Air Force.
Afterwards, he continued his education at MIT and Harvard, attended aeronautical school, and the Massachusetts State Police Academy.
Leonard worked as a Burlington special police officer and EMT in Massachusetts. He also worked in Maxwell Machine Shop, Nemacolin Country Club Golf Course, Smith’s Suburban Supply, BASF, and GTE Sylvania.
He had many accomplishments in his life. He machined the first artificial heart valve, and parts for the Apollo Missions.
Leonard was a lifetime member of Immaculate Conception Church, now St. James Parish in Washington. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge, as a 32-degree Mason, and Scottish Rite. He enjoyed his time with the Shriners Aleppo Temple Mounted Patrol in Wilmington, Mass., and was a member of American Legion Post 175 of Washington.
After retirement, he worked for Washington County driving a bus for the senior citizen’s, which he loved dearly.
He enjoyed being out in his yard, growing apples and peaches, mowing, gardening, working on small engines, and woodworking.
On November 12, 1988, he married E. Jeannie Neil of Scenery Hill.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of 34 years, are children, April C.N. Conn and husband Donald L. Conn Sr. of Melrose, Mass., Denise Neil DeAngelis of Acton, Maine, Leonard E. Neil Jr. and wife Wendy Neil of Clinton, Mass.; sister, Marguerite “Peggy” Rose and husband Fred of California; five grandchildren, Donny, Emily, Neil, Nolan and Bryce; and a great-grandchild, Bentley; a nephew, who was like a son, David William Hays of Washington, and his children and grandchildren.
Family and friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m., the time of funeral services, Monday, November 21, in the Nichol Funeral Home, 1873 East Maiden Street, Washington. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday November 28, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Those wishing to attend the interment may meet at the funeral home by 12:30 or at the cemetery by 1:15.
A guest book may be signed at www.nicholfuneralhome.com.