Billy Joe Leatherman, 75, died March 26, 2015, at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born Aug. 11, 1939, in Stafford, he was the son of Merle M. and Marie (Koelsch) Leatherman. On Jan. 10, 1960, he married Iona Lebsack in Otis. A resident of Great Bend since 1960, coming from St. John, he was an oilfield chemical salesman.
Survivors include his wife, Iona Leatherman, of the home; one son, Steven R. Leatherman of Hutchinson; one daughter, Sheila R. Panus of O’Fallon, Mo.; one brother, Merle D. Leatherman of McPherson; one sister, Debra Welch of Wichita; and four granddaughters, Ashley Leatherman, Brianne Leatherman, Brittany Panus and Bailey Panus. He was preceded in death by one son, Todd L. Leatherman.
Mr. Leatherman donated his body to science at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Otis Lutheran Cemetery in Otis. Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association or Gentiva Hospice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by    
Bryant Funeral Home*    
1425 Patton Road    
Great Bend, KS   67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 29, 2015