Leonard Wesley Barnard
Oct. 30, 1933 – Dec. 3, 2021
Leonard passed away on Dec. 3, 2021, at Avantara Care Facility, Billings.
He was born to Paul and Marjorie (Dickson) Barnard at the home of Mary Matheson in Pompeys Pillar. The family moved to the farm in Ballantine in 1947. He helped his mom with the farm after work after his dad passed away in 1962. He moved to the farm in about 1969 and lived there until the last two months. He was very proud of his home place. He rarely took a vacation as he saved so he could retire early.
He was married to Donna (Frey) Roe. They had three sons, Robert, Gregory and Joe. The boys moved to Washington with their mom in 1967. He was then married to Evelyn Youso. They had a daughter, Michelle Renae (Barnard) Custer. He married Vanna Harnden/Bjorndal and Mary Kay and Patrick were added to the family.
He joined the Army and served for two years. He was very proud to be a participant of Operation Whitecoat. The Army recruited the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and conscientious objectors for the Operation Whitecoat project, which was a biodefense medical research program carried out by the United States Army at Fort Detrick, Maryland. This project was created to research biological weapons.
In his younger years, he liked to ride his motorcycle with his brother, George. He also loved racing stock cars and won several trophies at the Speedway west of Shepherd. He loved fishing and night fishing was his favorite. He tinkered with motors and machinery and was exceptional at it. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. He had a few different jobs through the years; however, he retired from Yellowstone County, where he drove a truck and ran heavy equipment. He skated competitively in roller derby. He was so graceful on skates and just glided around the rink, even in his older age. He enjoyed singing in the quartet at church and had a very good voice. He could also play the guitar. He played by ear as he couldn’t read sheet music. If he heard a song, he could play it.
He had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Marjorie Barnard; his sister, Faye; his brother, George and sister-in-law Eva (Sigsworth); and his wife, Vanna Barnard.
He is survived by Robert Paul Roe (Karen), Gregory Chris Roe (Karen), Joe Wesley Roe (Debbie), Michelle Renae Barnard Custer (James), Mary Kay Bjorndal (Bob) and Patrick Neil Bjorndal; a nephew; two nieces; 13 grandchildren; and many friends.
Leonard spent the last two months at St. Vincent Hospital and Avantara Care Center, Billings, where they gave wonderful care. The family so appreciated all the friends and family that visited him during his hospital time.
His special smile, sense of humor and wisdom will be greatly missed. We girls in the family will miss him calling us “Sis,” his term of endearment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Provision International, PO Box 81694, Billings, MT 59108, Memo line Emily Broadbent/Neema. You may also donate online at www.provisioninternational.org. Be sure to click on Emily Broadbent/Neema so the funds go to her and the orphanage. Leonard often donated to this project where Emily Broadbent (family friend) works in a Tanzania orphanage with 55 children, ages 3 and under. All donations go directly to this project.
Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave., Billings. Interment will be at the Pleasantview Cemetery, Ballantine, with military honors. Luncheon for family and friends will be at Worden Open Bible Church, Worden, MT.
