Rev. William A. Leising

CENTRAL PINT, Ore. -- The Rev. William A. Leising, O.M.I., of Central Pint, an Oblate missionary, author, filmmaker and pilot who began his study for the priesthood in Tewksbury, died Thursday, May 10, in Medford, Ore., following a long illness. He was 94.

He was born on March 31, in East Amherst, N.Y., the eldest of nine children of George J. and Mary R. Leising-Smith. After beginning his pre-medicine studies at St. Bonaventure College in Olean, N.Y., he decided in 1933 to enter the Roman Catholic religious congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Tewksbury. After finishing his theological studies at the Oblate College in Washington, D.C., he was ordained into the priesthood by Cardinal Francis Spellman on May 27, 1940.

Father Leising received his first assignment at the Arctic missions of Mackenzie, Canada, where he spent the next 25 years. He began by learning the Chipewayan language. During the first 10 years, he often traveled by dog sled in winter, and boat by summer, to reach the missions under his care.

In 1945, he produced an hourlong film documentary entitled Arctic Missions of the Mackenzie, with the support of Cardinal Spellmen in New York. In 1949, he was sent to Akalavik on the Mackenzie Delta, where he was instrumental in setting up a radio station which broadcast in both Eskimo and English languages.

In 1950, Father Leising obtained a pilot's license and began a flying career that lasted until 1965. He also obtained a private dental license.

In 1958, Father Leising collected all his papers and notes, and wrote Arctic Wings, published by Doubleday in 1959. Thie book reportedly sold more than 500,000 copies. In 1965, Father Leising was instrumental in the building of a radio station located at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill. In 1970, he founded Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Shady Cove, where he remained pastor until 1990, when he retired to Shady Point.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters, the Rev. Edmund N. Leising, OMI, Alfonse F. Leising, Gerald A. Leising, Sister Dorothy Mary Leising, SSND, Sister Blanche Leising SSND, and Sister Florence Leising, SSND. He also leaves nieces and nephews, including the Rev. Robert G. Leising, and his secretary, and faithful caretaker for many years, Jacqueline Arsenaud.

Father Leising was also the brother of the late Hubert G. and Rose E. Jewell.