William Eugene Leyendecker

It is with great sadness that the family of William Eugene (Gene) Leyendecker announces his passing after a brief illness on January 31, 2014, at the age of 68 years. Gene will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 45 years, Kathie, and their two children, Stephanie (Richard) Salazar of Castle Rock, Colorado and CJ (Tiffani) Leyendecker of LaGrange, Kentucky. Gene will also be fondly remembered by his two precious granddaughters Zoe Kathleen Salazar and Mackenzie Grace Leyendecker; by his mother Hivana; by his brother Albert (Ann) Leyendecker; his twin brother Jerry (Gwenda) Leyendecker; his sister Karen Padgett and their families. Gene was predeceased by his father Philip Leyendecker. Gene was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma on February 11, 1945 where his father was serving in the U.S. Army. They moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Gene attended school and earned a BS degree in Civil Engineering from NMSU in 1969 and a MS degree in Water/Wastewater Engineering in 1973. Gene's first engineering job was in Los Angeles, California working for the County Sanitation District. After two years, he moved back to his beloved New Mexico and settled in Albuquerque. Over the next 43 years, he worked for himself, private consultants, PNM, and the City of Santa Fe in water and wastewater management and design. Gene was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, and was an usher at the 10 o'clock Mass for many years. He was a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus serving three terms as Grand Knight and was a member of the Fourth Degree Assembly. Gene will be remembered for his love of life, his generosity, his kindness and his sense of adventure. He was an airplane pilot, a sponsor of Little League teams, timer of swim meets, maker of kites, and judge of science fairs. He loved being on or near the water, and sailing was one of his favorite pastimes. He was a voracious reader of all things historical,loved to play chess, loved to travel, and loved spending time with his grandchildren flying kites, fishing, and reading them Dr. Seuss books. He was the NMSU Aggies most loyal fan even in the hard times. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Rosary will be recited on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Lomas and Tennessee with Deacon Jack Granato Reciting. Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church with Fr. Edward Domme, Celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Albert Leyendecker, Jerry Leyendecker, C. J. Leyendecker, Albert E. Leyendecker, Richard Salazar, and Chet Markham, Rick Hobson and Gil Gallegos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Gene's memory to a favorite charity.