William H. Leighner

Leighner William H. Leighner, 84, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 10, 2014. Bill was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Ella Mae Hueston and Thomas J. Leighner and was preceded in death by his brother Thomas J. Leighner. He is survived by his wife, Maggie; sons, Robert (Kay), Dan Scott (Gidget); and grandchildren, Hannah, Brooke, Mason and Elena. Bill graduated with honors from South Hills High School in 1948 and went on to Northwestern University in the NROTC Program. He majored in economics and naval sciences. He was a member and past President of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. From 1952-1955 he served in The United States Navy. He graduated from Flight School at Pensacola Naval Air Station, and served at Naval Air Stations Corpus Christi, Texas and Norfolk, Virginia. Flying anti-submarine aircraft, his service took him to various countries including England and Italy. He was honorably discharged in l952 as a Lieutenant. He graduated the University of Michigan Law School, class of 1958. Bill joined the Bricker & Eckler law firm in January 1958, partnering in 1962 until retirement in 1992. He served on many boards including the American Motorcycle Association, Hobart Brothers Company and The Harry C. Moore's Foundation. He was active in many of the Columbus Bar Association Committees, Board of Trustees of Goodwill of Central Ohio and at one time served as president. He was heavily involved in the renovation of the "Old Old Post Office" building and the site of new offices for Bricker & Eckler in Columbus, Ohio. He was an avid golfer all through life, having a great love and respect for the game, Bill belonged to Scioto Country Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club and The Wilderness Country Club. At The Wilderness he also served on the Board of Trustees and was chairman of the legal committee. He had a deep passion for reading, American and world history, ornithology, astronomy and cartography. He was a brilliant, kind, gentle and humble man who will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him but especially by the love of his life, Maggie. A memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15 at 11 a.m. at FULLER FUNERAL HOME, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, 34109. Military Honors and a reception will immediately follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to North Naples United Methodist Church, Goodwill Industries or that a random act of kindness be made in Bill's memory. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.fullernaples.com.