Leon Laird, the son of the late Clyde E. and Martha Rice Laird, was born in Essex on March 23, 1944, and died at his home in Dexter on Friday, June 4, 2004, at the age of 60.

He had lived in Dexter and Essex for most of his life. He was employed by Tyson Foods in Dexter and had served in the U.S. Army. He was of the Baptist faith.

On May 9, 1968, he was married to Wilma Deck at Essex.

Surviving are his wife, Wilma Laird of Dexter; one son, Robert Laird of Dexter; four brothers, Laverne Leo Laird of Essex, Lowell Lee Laird of Wappapello, Lyndell Leroy Laird of Advance, and Clyde Laird, Jr. of Bloomfield; two sisters, Loretta Louise Whittley of Bloomfield and Nora Clara Hoggard of Advance; two grandsons;

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Sherry Laird.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, June 7, 2004, in the Watkins & Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Doyle Corlew of Dexter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military rites conducted by the Stoddard County Honor Guard.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is in charge of arrangements.