William Jackson Leffel, 81, a well know resident of Harrisonburg for the past ten years and a retired farmer, died Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock at his home, 380 East Market Street after an extended illness.

In failing health for the past two years, Mr. Leffel had been bedfast for the past twelve months with his condition becoming critical several weeks ago.

He was born on October 4, 1868 in Botetourt County, where he attended public schools and spent the early part of his life. At the age of 15 he moved to Covington where he served fifteen years as a law enforcement officer. In 1922, Mr. Leffel moved to the Harrisonburg community and made his just off the Dayton Pike until ten years ago when he moved to his present address in Harrisonburg.
Mr. Leffel was a man of gentleness and simplicity whose kindness toward all won him the friendship of those with whom he came in contact. He was a member of the Harrisonburg Methodist Church and the Brotherhood Bible Class as well of the Evangelistic Club of Harrisonburg.

He was twice married. His first wife who was before marriage Miss Clara Humphrey preceded him in death in 1900. In Aug 1902 he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Henderson, who survives him.
Besides his wife, he is survived by ten children, Mrs. Hugh (Jessie) Irvin, Huntington, WV, Malcus L. Leffel, Collis W. Leffel, John A. Leffel, Mrs. Daisy Custer, Jacob J. Leffel and Eugene C. Leffel all of Harrisonburg; Mrs. Sarah Warble, McGaheysville, Mrs. Rosa Branum, Dayton, Ohio and Mrs. Martha Baugher, Elkton, twenty-three grandchildren, four great grandchildren.

Mr. Leffel was the last surviving member of a family of six children.
Four children preceded him in death in infancy and a daughter, Mrs. Texie Eggars in 1942.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the Harrisonburg Methodist Church, with his pastor, the Rev. H. Conrad Blackwell in charge of the services. Burial will be in the family lot in Woodbine Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Paul R. Bowers, Charles B. Kiser, John E. Kiracofe, Hubert E. Sandy, John D. Spitzer, Albert Myers, Robert V. Via and Charles B. Ritchie. Honorary pallbearers will be: P. S. Chew, W. J. Gifford, Dr. C. N. Dewey, Bruce Slaven, James B. Donson, Charles A. Lee, R. K. Cline, T. W. Fishback, J. P. Keister and W. L. Darnell.

The body now rests at the Lindsey Funeral Home on South Main Street where it will remain until nine-thirty this (Tuesday) morning when it will be taken to his late residence.

Relatives and pallbearers are asked to meet at the Leffel home, 380 East Market Street, Wednesday afternoon at one-thirty o'clock where a brief service will be held prior to leaving for the church.

Daily News Record, Wednesday, April 26, 1950

Obit courtesy of Barbara Chittum Hutchens.