William Leonard Grisham

Marietta Monitor

January 17, 2003, page 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for William Leonard Grisham, 75, of Marietta, were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 11, in Marietta's First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Tommy Higle officiating.

Mr. Grisham was born February 3, 1927, in Howard Ridge, Missouri, the son of William Edward and Lois Ruth Rice Grisham. He died Tuesday, January 7, 2003, in Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore.

He had been a resident of Marietta since 1960, moving here from Madill. Raised at Mountain Home, Arkansas, Mr. Grisham attended school in Gainesville, Missouri. He and Patsy C. Johnson were married April 9, 1949, in Mountain Home. The couple also made their home in Kansas for six years and at Marlow and Blanchard. Mr. Grisham was employed as a superintendent in the natural gas industry. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and was recognized as an M1 Rifle Sharpshooter.

Mr. Grisham was a member of the Marietta School Ag Booster Club and the Marietta Athletic Booster Club and served as swine superintendent for the Love County Jr. Livestock Show for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy Grisham of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Marty and Linda Grisham of Marietta; a daughter and son-in-law, JoEllen and Robert Woodall of Marietta; a brother, Arthur J. Grisham of Mountain Home; four grandchildren, Michael Woodall, Melissa Stewart, Eric Grisham and Mignon Grishom; and a great-granddaughter, Kayla Woodall.

Mr. Grisham was preceded in death by his parents.

Pallbearers were Michael Woodall, Barry Stewart, Eric Grisham, Steve Bell, Mike Plunkett and Mark Bassinger. Honorary pallbearers were John Beck, Paul Riley, Jack Plunkett, George Clifton, Eddie and Margaret Sampson, Jesse Kirk, Leon Brown, Richard Cain, Pearl Campbell and Marie Hood.

Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery, Marietta, under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leonard Grisham Athletic Scholarship Fund in care of First National Bank, Marietta.