March 20, 1932 - July 8, 2006

Leland J. "Lee" Edwards, age 74, passed away on July 8, 2006, losing a long and fierce battle with interstitial lung disease.

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Greg (Raeann). Leland also leaves a son, Todd (Brenda) of Yakima, and a daughter, Carrie (Steve) Mallory of El Cajon, Calif. He was proud "Grampa" to his eight grandchildren: Amy, Brianna, Quinton, Jamie, Stephanie, Brandon, Kale and Kamryn, and five great-grandchildren. While preceded in death by his brother Alvin, Leland is survived by his beloved sisters Wilma (Leroy) Morford, Dolores (Ray) Shuel of Yakima and Wanda (Ervin) Sperle of Union Gap, and many nieces and nephews.

Leland was born in Portland, Ore., to James and Pauline Edwards. He spent his early years there, later moving to Yakima with his family where he lived for many years. He served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of Burien Post 134 of the American Legion. Leland learned the floor-covering trade, then it was off to Hawaii where he worked and played. He eventually came to Seattle, putting down his roots in Burien. He worked all over the Puget Sound Area covering floors, tubs and counters until his retirement in 1998. Known widely in his trade as "Lee, That Ornery Old Tile Dude," a title he wore very proudly, and one that he tried his best to live up to, Lee was still noted for his fine work.

An avid hunter and fisherman in his younger days, Leland also had a great fondness for NASCAR racing and actually raced on the Yakima Speedway for a few years. Later, he could usually be found glued to the TV on race day. After his illness denied him many of the things he liked to do, he still burned his candle as brightly as he could, even while fighting for breath and his mobility. Leland still talked of all the things he was "gonna" do, refusing to accept the fact that he never would.

The family will be forever grateful for the valiant efforts made by the Highline Medical Center team to save Leland, and the caring, efficient way they made him as comfortable as possible during the last difficult hours before he was folded into loving wings and borne gently upward.

A memorial service celebrating Leland's life will be held on Saturday, July 22, at 1 p.m. at the Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 S.W. 146th St., Burien. Remembrances may be made in Leland's name to the Highline Medical Center Memorial Fund.

Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com.