Marcella (Marce) Marie Billmeyer Leonard passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation, Manitowoc. She formerly lived at 1512 Cherry Road and Fish Creek.  She was born on July 11,1925 to Louis and Vera Adine Williams Billmeyer. For a short while the family lived in LaFarge and Viroqua before moving to Eau Claire.  She graduated from the Eau Claire Senior High School in 1943.  She then received a Liberal arts education at what was called the Eau Claire State Teachers College at that time.  She married Courtney Alton Leonard on August 22, 1948 at the Lake Street Methodist Church in Eau Claire .They moved to Manitowoc in 1951.  She was a stay at home Mom and involved in many volunteer activities.  She served on the Family Service Board before becoming actively involved in the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra Board. She served as President of the Symphony board for three years.  She also served seven years on the state P.E.O. Board,serving as State President in 1948-49.

During their many years living in Manitowoc, both Court and Marce were supporters of Manitowoc Public Library, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Capitol Civic Center, Rahr-West Art Museum, Manitowoc County Historical Village, Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Marce enjoyed spending time outdoors biking, hiking and cross country skiing with family and friends.

Survivors include her three children: David Courtney Leonard, Neenah; Christine Ann (Mike) O' Kelley, Mackay, ID; and John Christopher (Debora) Leonard, New York; seven grandchildren: Paul Courtney Leonard, Sarah Marie Himstedt, Brian Patrick O'Kelley, Sean Michael O'Kelley, Ian Courtney Leonard, Katherine Nicole Leonard and Lina Amelia Leonard; great grandchildren Kaden Paul O'Brien, Evelyn Ann Leonard, Owen Michael Himstedt and Teagan Grace O'Kelley, Ellyanna Faith O'Kelley. She is also survived by her sister June Vera Regan of Edina, MN. and many special nieces and nephews.  Marce is also survived by her AFS Japanese son and his family: Tsutomu and Taiko Sugiyama, and their children Hajime Leonard Sugiyama and Shizuka Marcella Sugiyama.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Courtney Leonard, parents Vera and Louis Billmeyer, brothers George Howard Billmeyer and Wilfred Raymond Billmeyer and infant brother, half brother Frank Billmeyer and half brother Louis Billmeyer.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, 411 Reed Avenue, Manitowoc. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, Manitowoc. Officiating the service will be the Rev. Cherie Forret. The funeral service will be livestreamed, and can be viewed by visiting https://livestream.com/accounts/16259850/events/10736859 . A Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to either the Manitowoc Symphony orchestra or the Door County Land Trust in Sturgeon Bay.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com . The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.