William Paul Bill Leyde

William Paul "Bill" Leyde, AKA, Tomato Man, age 86, of Clyde Park, Montana passed on with the love of his family by his side on Sunday, November 10, 2019. Bill was born on May 4th, 1933 in Duvall, Washington. He was the second of five siblings. Following school Bill enlisted in the US Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He served two years and was honorably discharged.Bill returned to Washington where he worked as a logger. He had honed his craft as a feller and harvested some of the largest trees imaginable. While home attending a football game Bill caught the eye of a lovely young lady who asked a friend to introduce them and on June 17, 1956 Bill was united in marriage to Sarah Kathryn Hess. They began their family in Monroe, WA. Bill continued to log weekends and also began a career with the Snohomish County Road Department. Bill worked his way up from the bottom, he retired as a Foreman for the Snohomish County Road Dept. in 1987, just prior to turning 55.He and Sarah sold their place and moved to Chicken Creek Rd., Clyde Park, Montana on January 8th, 1988. They purchased the old Vernon Kirscher place, had their home built and have been growing the loveliest vegetables and flowers there, since. Our new community has embraced us, Ernie and Ellen Briggs shared their friendship and introduced us to such a warm group of people.Bill treasured hunting, he savored being in the outdoors. When traveling Bill was not happy until he had collected a hat from every destination, he has amassed hundreds of them.Blessed we are for the years spent with Bill. He was the gentlest man. He was hardworking but dedicated to family. He was a father and husband to be ever so proud of. He loved his home, and when folks would come to visit.Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sarah; children: son, Paul and his wife, Teresa of Snohomish, WA and their children, Alexandra, Angelo; son, Peter of Monroe, WA, and his children, Batoche, Nicol, Sarah (Josiah) and Allisha; son, William R. "Bill" of Grotto, WA, his children, Bradyn (Lyn), Casey (fiance, Maie), Kelly (Yoshimi); son, Leeon of Wenatchee, WA and his children, Annalyssa and Kyle and step-daughter, Aimee Schlenz. There are many great-grandchildren who also survive Bill; His siblings who survive are, Betty Sarbu, Vivian (Ron) Pfiefle, Dale (Kasey) Leyde.He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gloria.A memorial in celebration of Bill's life will be December 7, 2019 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Monroe Seventh-day Adventist Church, Monroe, WA. A memorial will be held in the summer in Clyde Park, MT at the family home.Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.