William Joseph "Bill" Leahy

1936 - 2025

Reverend William "Bill" Joseph Leahy, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, November 16, 2025. He was 89 years old.

Fr. Leahy was born to the late John and Johanna Smiddy Leahy on March 21, 1936, and baptized the next day in Kilcredan, Ladysbridge, County Cork, Ireland. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, John Leahy. Known as "the quiet saint" by those who knew him, he will be deeply missed by his sister, Sr. Margaret Leahy, of Dublin, Ireland; his sister-in-law, Mary Leahy, of Kilcredan, Ireland; three nieces and two nephews, all living in Ireland; the Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah; the Most Reverend J. Kevin Boland, Bishop Emeritus of Savannah; and brother priests, religious, parishioners, and friends in the Diocese of Savannah.

Leahy grew up in a farming community in South East Cork, Ireland, and attended Kilcredan National School, Mt. Melleray Seminary (Waterford), and St. Patrick's Seminary (Carlow). As a young man, Leahy excelled in his studies and was active in sports, especially hurling. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Savannah at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, on June 11, 1966, and celebrated his first Mass at the parish church in Ballymacoda the next day. He arrived in Savannah in the fall of 1966.

His first assignment in the Diocese of Savannah was Assistant Pastor, St. Joseph, Augusta. Two years later, he was appointed Administrator of the Catholic communities in Liberty and Bryan Counties (Hinesville–Richmond Hill Missions), and in 1969 he was named Administrator of St. Joseph, Jesup, the parish overseeing the development of the missions.

In 1973, he succeeded the late Fr. John Hurley as Pastor of Holy Spirit, Macon, and in 1978, he was appointed Co-Pastor of St. Anne, Columbus, supporting the parish through a period of dramatic growth, which saw a population increase from 100 families to more than 900 in only five years.

Leahy's next assignment was Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea, St. Marys, and its mission, St. Francis of Assisi in Folkston (1987–2001). After ten years as Pastor of Holy Redeemer, McRae, and St. Mark, Eastman, Leahy returned to Folkston after his retirement in 2011.

Leahy also ministered as a Senator/Consultor for the Diocese of Savannah (1981–1984), a member of the Diocesan Council of Priests, and a prison minister in Dodge and Telfair Counties. A wonderful confessor and pastor to many, he was also active in the Jesus Caritas Fraternity of Priests, the Knights of Columbus, and Cursillo.

Funeral Mass and Interment

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 | 10 AM EST

Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist

222 E. Harris St., Savannah

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at http://diosav.org

and https://www.facebook.com/diosav.org

Interment to follow at Catholic Cemetery
1720 Wheaton St., Savannah