Leonard was born in England and is preceded in death by his wife, Edith Wheat; father, Henry Wheat; mother, Harriet Mary Wheat; brother, Henry Wheat (Edna); brother, George Wheat (Ethel); sister, Evelyn Sells (Fred Sells); brother, Charles Wheat (Beryl); brother, William Wheat (Betty); brother Robert Wheat (Janine); Sister, Helen Jones (Ivor) and brother Alan Wheat (Louise).
Leonard had a great love of music which began as a choir boy at Southwell Minster in England. He also played the cornet and trumpet in the British legion band post WWII.
Leonard was a decorated combat veteran. Leonard served in the RAF and British Army during World War II. His most notable military engagements included extensive bombing missions over Germany and ground combat in Burma. After the war he assisted in the destruction of Japanese occupational currency and setting up the Banks of Burma and India. He was fluent in Hindi.
Leonard married Edith, his wife of 68 years, in 1952. Together in 1961, they immigrated to the United States with their two young children. Leonard and Edith proudly earned their United States Citizenships in 1971. They settled in Chappaqua, New York where Leonard became Vice President of Transportation for Grand Union Corporation. Later he became Director of Automotive Engineering for Consolidated Edison. They initially retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts which began Leonard’s volunteer work mediating disputes for the consumers division of the district attorney of Massachusetts. Leonard also enjoyed volunteering for the Harwich Cranberry Harvest Festival for many years. He enjoyed the comradery of the CBI (China Burma India) unit of the VFW on Cape Cod. Leonard has resided in Milner, Georgia for the past 18 years. Leonard was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Leonard was selfless. Being with his family, assisting and guiding them and providing extras for them were his greatest pleasures in life.
Leonard is survived by his sister, Dinah Caple (Roger); son, Stephen Wheat; daughter, Gillian Wheat Appleton; grandchildren, Christopher Guros (Elissa Schuett), Megan Guros and Ian Wheat. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Laurel and Gram Guros and Kyrie Lofton; many in laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Leonard was a member of Zebulon United Methodist Church where his Christian service and burial will take place on Sunday April 16th at 3:00 pm officiated by Pastor Ariana Eberle. A burial with military honors will follow immediately in the church cemetery.
The family would like to thank Drs. Woodall and Manley as well as Dr. Napier and Brightmoor Hospice for their gentle and compassionate care of Leonard.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Pike County American Legion Post 197. P.O. Box 781, Zebulon, GA 30295.
Moody Daniel Funeral Home
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