LEEP, Buster W.

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Buster W. Leep was born on March 25, 1938 and passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 25, 2011 at the age of 73. He was a long time resident of Riverside, Ariz. Buster was married to his high school sweetheart, Billie Leep, for nearly 55 years. He first noticed her at the local movie theater in Tahlequah, Okla. They started dating when they were 15 years old. After dating for two years, Buster proposed and they were married on May 23, 1956. They have been together ever since. Buster was born in Parkhill, Okla. and moved to Arizona with his young family in January of 1957. On his 19th birthday, he started working at Kennecott Copper Company in Hayden, Ariz. After almost 28 years of dedicated service, Buster was forced to retire due to an industrial accident on Nov. 1, 1984. Buster loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren telling them stories about his adventurous youth while growing up near Parkhill, Okla. All of his stories were funny and taught you a lesson about life. He was always so proud to attend all of their football, softball, soccer, and baseball games, rodeos, school plays, high school and college graduations, weddings, and the birth of their babies. He loved his family most of all. He was known for telling jokes that you were not sure were jokes until the very end and got a kick out of watching you laugh when you realized that he got one over on you. He was fond of animals and always had a few in the back yard, but he really loved raising and breeding his fighting chickens (which he never fought), he always had a garden, and especially loved his dog, Princess. Once Buster’s children all left home, he and Billie discovered Apache Gold Casino, where they spent many afternoons visiting with their friends. Buster stayed in contact with his Kennecott crew and enjoyed speaking with them and catching them up on his latest series of jokes and stories. Buster is survived by his loving wife, Billie Leep; his son, Faron Leep of Apache Junction, Ariz.; his daughter, Sharon (Keith) Listiak of Claypool, Ariz., Rebecka (Matthew) Clark from Okmulgee, Okla., and his son, Johnny (Autumn) Leep; grandchildren, Carla A. (Brian) Anthony, Jeremy Leep, Jarrod Listiak, Jessica (Matthew) Nehrmeyer (Listiak), Tanya (Raymondo) Weber (Ibarra), James Leep, Makayla Leep; great-grandchildren, Kristina Anthony, Jasmyne Anthony, Angel Ibarra, Colt Nehrmeyer. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Sheri Leep and her baby, Krista Leep. Buster will be missed by all of those who loved him. Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 617 Senator Chastain Street in Kearny, Ariz. A celebration of Buster Leep’s life will follow immediately after the service at the Church of the Good Shepherd’s reception hall. All family, friends, his Apache Gold friends, and work buddies are welcome to attend. The family of Buster W. Leep wishes to express their sincere thanks and other expressions of love during their time of bereavement.