Leon "Sonny" B. Leigh, 77, of Verona Township, passed away on December 16, 2017 at his home.

He was born in Paducah, Kentucky on November 11, 1940 to the late Jess and Bonnie (Jackson) Leigh.

He moved to Melvindale, Michigan, where he graduated from Melvindale High School in 1958.  He is in their Hall of Fame for football and basketball.

Sonny served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1962.  While he was in the Army, he played basketball on special assignment and boxed.  He worked for Trans Industries and Vultron, as National Sales Manager, retiring in 2002.

When Sonny was younger, he raced snow-mobiles and hunted for pheasants.   He enjoyed fishing in his boat; bowling, golfing, basketball, cheering for Michigan State and watching his grandchildren participate in many sports.  Sonny was a member of the American Legion in Port Austin, a member of the Moose Lodge and past member of Verona Hills Golf Course.

On November 16, 1995, he married Julie Ann Harker in Homes Beach, Florida.

Leon is survived by his wife, Julie Harker- Leigh, of Bad Axe; his children: Kristen (John) Penman of Leonard, Michigan,  Brian (Lori) Leigh of Highland, Michigan, Dr. Nicole (Skip Townsend) Leigh of Oxford, Michigan, Nick (Karen) Harker of Ann Arbor, and Troy (Anne) Harker of Brighton, Michigan; his grandchildren: Trevor and Tyler Leigh, Lauren and Jesse Ubbing, Trey,  Zachary and Rachel Townsend, Zachary and Finn Harker, and Harrison, Sabina and Levi Harker; his brother: Bud (Sabina) Leigh; his brothers –in-law, Dan (Trudy) Yaroch, John (Linda) Yaroch, Pat (Vicki) Yaroch and his sister-in-law, Mary Zeigler; along with many loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mary Yaroch; sisters-in-law, Theda Leigh and Suzie Chumbler; brothers-in-law, Roy Chumbler and Jim Yaroch; and his beloved furry companions, Lucy and Linus.

Funeral service for Sonny will take place at 11 a.m.  on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the MacAlpine Mac Chapel in Bad Axe.   Visitation will be at the Mac Chapel on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 4 – 8 p.m and on Wednesday, December 20th, 10 a.m. until time of service.  Per Sonny's wishes, cremation will take place following the service at Sunset Valley Crematory in Bay City, Michigan.

Memorials may be offered to the Disabled American Veterans Organization ( www.dav.org ) or to the Thumb Animal Shelter.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com