William Lavelle Leachman

December 15, 1974 – March 25, 2026

William Lavelle Leachman was born on December 15, 1974, to Rodney Leachman and Darlene Maddox in Owensboro, Kentucky. He spent his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia. William graduated from Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

After graduating from high school, William and Cordliss Jester welcomed a beautiful baby boy, William Sharod Leachman, Jr. William later moved back to Owensboro and married Denisha Buckner. William and Denisha had two children, De’Aria Leachman and Nevaeh Leachman. He was blessed again when he and Crystal Mundy celebrated the birth of Madisyn Pearl Leachman.

.William started his entrepreneurial quest by opening a corner restaurant, "Big Will's." This establishment put William right where he wanted to be—in the community. He could be seen breaking bread and "chopping it up" with the young and old of the community. He found himself back on the front lines when he was hired by the H.L. Neblett Community Center, where he was known for wanting to meet his kids "right where they were."

William Leachman loved his family. Not only did he father four children, but he also cared for and cherished his foster children: Erius Floyd, Adrienne McDonald, and Ka’Leah McDonald. His respect and appreciation for his “Foster Mom”, Fong Lee Maddox, was well known. William’s love for his community was strong. He loved his big cars and music. It was sheer bliss to have all of them at the same time. William's laid-back southern drawl and smile were his devices to attract you into his world of unconditional love. He will be truly missed.

William was preceded in death by his mother, Darlene Maddox Leachman.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving father, Rodney Leachman and wife Thomasine Leachman; his grandmother, Magelean Leachman; his sibling, Austin Leachman; his aunts, Sharon Kelly (David), Celeste Gainey, Anita Payne, Fong Lee Maddox and Bonnie Leachman; his uncle, Charles "Pete"  Leachman; his children, William Sharod Leachman Jr., De’Aria Leachman, Nevaeh Leachman and Madisyn Pearl Leachman; special cousins Scott Kelly, Anthony Leachman, Keturah Hodgans, Rocky Maddox and Juluis Maddox along with other host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

William’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the community he served, and the love he gave so freely.