LeRoy Pierce, a cowboy, entertainer, jokester, and leather craftsman, passed away in the comfort of his home on October 24th, 2023, at the age of 93.

LeRoy was born Aug. 6, 1930, to Orville Aaron Pierce and Tabea (Eichman) Pierce in Trego Center, Kan. He moved throughout his childhood years until the family settled in Hill City, Kan. At the age of 10, LeRoy suffered a bone infection in his hip which impacted the rest of his life. He graduated from WaKeeney High School with the class of 1949.

On June 6, 1952, LeRoy married Luella Hughes in Wa-Keeney, Kan. Together they raised four children. In 1962, the family moved to Winona, Kan., where LeRoy worked throughout his years. He worked many jobs due to the ups and downs of his hip, including at the Farmer’s Coop, Oakley Motors, and a custom baling business for farmers and ranchers. He raised registered Texas longhorn cattle and Quarter Horses. In 1989, LeRoy bought a shoe repair shop and started repairing boots, shoes, and saddles for the community.

In the 1990s, LeRoy picked up a passion from his childhood and started playing his accordion he had put in the closet for 50 years. Luella played the piano her entire life and was able to bring out LeRoy’s talents. They entertained the WaKeeney community plus many more audiences that are impossible to mention. LeRoy and Luella loved entertaining during their retirement.

LeRoy will be greatly missed by his loved ones and is survived by his wife, Luella Faye (Hughes) Pierce; children, Billy (Betty) Pierce, Dana (Gayla) Pierce, Rita (Russ) Decker, Orville Pierce, and daughter-in-law, Mavaneen Pierce; grandchildren, Matthew (Amy) Pierce, Justin (Kristi) Pierce, Levi (Molly) Pierce, Amber Pierce, Rusti (Louie) Lichtenberg, Kelli (Nicholas) Rubio, Jason (Kindra) Pierce, Tathaya Pierce, Ryan Pierce, and Hunter Pierce; and sisters, Lillian Large, Lucille (Charles) Rief, and Myra (Jack Minton) Kraft. He had 16 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Tabea Pierce; infant brothers, Lloyde and Abraham Pierce; and sisters, Pauline (Clayton) Mong and Shirley (Gene) Glider.

Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, and service was scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney. Meal followed at the VFW.

Memorial donations can be made to the Trego County VFW, 400 N. Railroad Ave., WaKeeney, KS 67672.