Unplanned Events

Today, my grandfather passed away.

William Leander Montgomery, 89, died on June 23, 2006, at Wesley Village Retirement Center in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he moved in 2002. He is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Alberta Lee Brickey Montgomery.

Born on February 3, 1917, William was the son of Leonard and Carrie Montgomery. He was a 1935 graduate of Sciotoville High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and tennis. He was the captain and quarterback of the 1934 Tartan football team, and was awarded the game ball after their 14-7 victory over Central Catholic. He also was known as “the scoring flash” of the 1935 Tartan basketball team, which won the Scioto County championship.

A veteran of World War II, he served in Military Intelligence Services in England and France, earning two battle stars and a good conduct medal. He remained in the Army Reserve after the war until age 60, reaching the rank of chief warrant officer.

William was employed by the Norfolk and Western Railway for 37 years, where he worked as a clerk and office manager. During his last ten years of employment, he held the position of Labor and Material Analyst for the Scioto Division. After retirement, he worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Tim Doyle Landscaping until 1999.

William had a desire to be used by God, and to share his faith with others. During his lifetime, he was an active member of several churches including Tabernacle Baptist Church of Chillicothe, Ohio; Christ’s Community Church of Portsmouth, Ohio; and Berean Baptist Church of Sciotoville, Ohio. His church activities included service as a deacon, trustee, youth leader, Sunday school teacher, and Sunday school superintendent. In 1955, he was named chairman of the building committee, overseeing the construction of a new sanctuary for Tabernacle Baptist Church and later a classroom addition in 1965. He was involved in the Gideon’s International Society for 50 years, serving several years as treasurer. He also was a member of the Kentucky Colonels, the Masons, and the Golden Bears of Shawnee State University.

An avid gardener, William maintained a vegetable garden up until his death.

William was preceded in death by brothers, Charles and Edmund, and a sister, Alene Booten, and survived by sisters, Lucille Deemer, and Gretchen Stanley. Also surviving him are a son and daughter-in-law, L. D. and Linda Montgomery of Nicholasville, KY; a daughter and son-in-law, Julia and Ellis Conley of Elkins, WV; and a son, John R. Montgomery of Columbus, OH, as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday evening 6-9 pm with funeral services on Tuesday at 10 am at Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville, Ohio. Burial will follow at the family cemetery at Lost Creek, Kentucky, overlooking the farm where William was born.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideon’s International Society.