The Leachman Spring Sale 2022

While in Arkansas, Bill and Donna grew their family with their second blessing arriving on September 27, 1976, with the birth of their daughter Miki Renee. Just a short 13 months later, another blessing arrived with the birth of their third child on October 29, 1977 with their daughter Marisa “Missy” Lynn. In 1978, Bill and Donna moved their family to Colorado as Bill accepted a position with the Record Stockman newspaper.

Bill loved working with seedstock operations and assisting them with their marketing and promotional strategies for their annual produc- tion sales. One of his most valued and loved contributions in this capacity was the ability to provide ringman services at these produc- tion sales. For those in the cattle business, Bill was a fixture ringside at production sales across the country for decades. He had a knack for figuring up the sale average within moments of the conclusion of any sale. Those who knew of this ability would seek him out to see how the sale ended up, because even in today’s world of computers, he was always the first one to have the averages tabulated.

After leaving the Record Stockman, Bill worked for Superior Livestock Auction for a number of years where he built sale catalogs, developed the advertising and pro - motional campaigns and generated sale reports. However, Bill’s passion remained

in the purebred side of the business and when he had the opportunity, he returned to that segment of the industry when he became the Yards Manager at the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). Over the many years he was at NWSS, Bill’s contributions to the activities that took place “in the yards” were immeasurable. One of his contributions became an iconic glimpse of history when he constructed the “Wall of Champions” in the Livestock Center. It provided a visual tour to the past for all who viewed it. Bill’s most recent impact on the industry was known through his time as Livestock Manager at the Nebraska State Fair. Bill was hired when the fair moved to its new location in Grand Island and he played a pivotal role in advancing not only the Nebraska State Fair, but the incredible facilities, to one of the premiere livestock show venues in the country. Bill gave a lifetime of service to the cattle industry and his contributions to it were vast. Bill was not one who looked for praise or recognition, but found joy and self-fulfillment in knowing the event he was involved with, whether it be a production sale or a national show, was as successful an event as possible and that he had done everything in his power to ensure the outcome. Based on his selfless nature and his kind soul, he was loved and cherished by so many he came in contact with over the years. Of all his accomplishments, the one he was probably most proud of was being a grandpa. Bill was blessed to have four grand - kids that he loved and adored. He attended any and all activities they were involved in and cherished spending time with each of them. He was a beloved grandpa who will be greatly missed. Bill loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, his countless friends, the cattle industry, his MSU Spartans and the United States of America, which he proudly served in the National Guard. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, sister-in-law, Lois and brother-in-law, David. He is survived by his wife of 50 plus years, Donna; son, Blake (Kirsten) Angell of Gove, KS; daughter, Miki (Steve) Kissler of LaSalle, CO; daughter, Missy (Amy) Angell of Greeley, CO; brother, Richard (Leslie) Angell of Michigan; grandson, Tyler Kissler; granddaughter, Makayla Kissler; grandson, Seth Kissler; granddaughter, Brynnlee Angell; brother-in-law, Reg (Betty) Zimmerman of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Bar - bara Zimmerman of Wisconsin; brother-in-law, Bill (Sharon) Zimmerman of Wisconsin; nephew, Nic (Shara) Angell of California; nephew, Kevin (Jenny) Angell of Michigan and numerous other brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life service was held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church in LaSalle, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of LaSalle or to one of Bill’s favorite charities, St. Jude’s Children Hospital or The Wounded Warriors Project.

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