William Leon Newell

William Leon was born in Daingerfield, Texas on October 20, 1924 to William Don and Marveleen Byrd Newell. He entered into eternal rest on December 22, 2010 in Bonham, Texas at 86 years of age.

William Leon grew up in Wolfe City, Texas and graduated from Wolfe City High School where he met his bride, Willie Ona Wrenn. They were married for 64 years. After serving a tour of duty in the United States Army, William Leon tried farming in the Wolfe City area. However, instead of raising cotton, he and Willie moved to Garland and raised two sons, Michial and William Robert "Bob".

Leon started operating a street car in Dallas. He retired from D.A.R.T. as a bus driver with the longest safe driving record in the company’s history. Leon drove 846,000 miles in 34 years which is equal to 34 trips around the globe.

Leon and Willie were charter members at Saturn Road Church of Christ where William Leon served as a Deacon for many years.
Leon is survived by his wife, Willie, his son, Michial W. and wife Pat Newell, his son William R. "Bob" Newell, his sister Eileen and Don Warren, five grandchildren, Travis and wife Sara Newell, Logan Newell, Zach Newell, Amanda Stinedurf, and Heather Newell, and two great-grandchildren, Colby Stinedurf and Addison Stinedurf. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, William Don and Marveleen Newell , his brothers, Homer, Emery and Alvin Newell, and his sister Etiol Bartow.

Visitation for William Leon will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010 at Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, 2925 Fifth Street at Highway 78 in Sachse. Services for Mr. Newell will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. at Charles W. Smith and Sons Sachse Chapel. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Wolfe City, Texas.