Harold "Butch" Leatherman Jr.

Harold “Butch” Leatherman Jr, 77, of Seldom Seen Road, Lonaconing, died Saturday, September 21, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Born on March 28, 1947 in Frostburg, he was the son of the late Harold Leatherman Sr. and Martha (Hott) Leatherman.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Bonnie, Sandy and Nancy.

Butch was a 1966 graduate of Beall High School. A veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam, enlisted from 1968-1970. Working for the Allegany County School Board, he retired as the head custodian from Frost Elementary. He was a member of many organizations including the George Creek Valley Lodge #161 A.F. & A.M., Lonaconing, Barton Legion Post #189, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #172, Cumberland, and a life member of the V.F.W, McCoole. He was currently attending Redemption Gospel and Reviving Ministry.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Cecelia Leatherman; three children, Connie Green and husband Marc, Brenda Young and husband Mark, and Kevin Leatherman and wife Susan, all of Lonaconing; five grandchildren, Trevor Green and wife April, Zachary Green and wife Alyssa, Madison Jackson and husband Billy, Owen Reese and Aaryn Reese; four great-grandchildren, Natalia Bolyard, Jayce Reese and Gabriella and Ellie Green; a sister, Barbara Kennedy; a brother, Norman “Buddy” Leatherman and wife Dottie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Butch was a hardworking, simple man who loved the simple things in life. He was a proud Vietnam Veteran who loved to go fishing, hunting, and checking the trail cam with his son, fixing cars up for car shows like his 62 Bel Air and El Camino, smack talking about sports, going to Port West for his favorite spaghetti, lifting at Grizzly’s Fitness with his gym buddy, Jim, and enjoying his morning cup of coffee with 2 scoops of powder creamer, especially if he had company to share it with. His family was his pride and joy and being with them, even though often loud, always brought a smile to his face. There was never a dull moment with his crew; there was always laughter, especially Butch’s very deep, big belly laugh, and jokes flying in the room. He was a stern and loving father and husband, but like all great men, softened up with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife, Sis, was always his grounding rock and took exceptional care of him throughout his last trying years. He had some very tough days, but he loved, relied on, cherished, and appreciated everything that his sweetheart did for him. She was his true love and by his side until the very end. He worked hard and long days to provide for his family but ended his working career as head custodian for 25 years at Frost Elementary and was known as “Mr. Butch” or “the man with the toothpick.” After retirement, he would often have students come up asking how he was and comment on his kindness and compassion. That is exactly who he was, a big man who was called “Horse” in his younger days, but a truly kind-hearted, compassionate, and loving man on the inside. The void that “pap, dad, and sweetheart,” has left is immeasurable and will never fully heal, but those who he loved most on Earth surrounded him at home in his final moments. Butch was deeply loved and will be deeply missed, but he is pain free and at peace at last, hopefully enjoying his morning coffee and a slice of his favorite Bee Sting cake with his family in Heaven. We will love and miss you until our last breaths here, big man.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Zaman and his favorite nurse, Mickie, at the Western Maryland Hospital Oncology department. They took the utmost care of Butch from the beginning to the end and we cannot thank them enough for the love, care, and kindness they showed him.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A., Lonaconing. A memorial service will be held by Georges Creek Valley Lodge #161 A.F.&A.M. at 6:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Shawn Shumaker officiating. Interment will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Moscow Mills. Military Rites will be accorded by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #172 of Cumberland.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Leatherman, Trevor and Zachary Green, Owen and Aaryn Reese and Billy Jackson.

At the request of the family donations in memory of Butch may be made to the following organizations, Allegany County Animal Shelter at P.O. Box 566, Cumberland, MD 21502, Goodwill Vol. Fire Dept. at 6 Douglas Ave., Lonaconing, MD 21539 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.