RIP William Ron Leslie

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

User avatar
Ross Shafer
Posts: 1410
Joined: 20 May 2006 12:01 am
Location: Petaluma, California

RIP William Ron Leslie

Post by Ross Shafer »

It is with great sadness that I offer a final farewell to my dear friend William Ron Leslie, a very sweet human being. He passed last week at the age of 79. My deepest condolences go out to his family.

Over the last 45 years of making things, I've had the privilege to become friends with so many of my customers. I met William late last year when he contacted me about building him a new steel. He'd been playing for around 50 years. The passion and love of the instrument and the joy he had playing was so up front and obvious, he sounded like an excited teenager when we spoke about all things pedal steel. His energetic excitement was truly an inspiration and honestly my phone conversations and the joy he shared when he got his new guitar were truly high points of what has been a very tough year for all of us in numerous ways.

He wasn't able to enjoy his new guitar but for a few months. It means the world to me that I had the honor of building him something that apparently had been on his bucket list for a while.

Godspeed William, I hope you and your wife are together again. Much love, your friend Ross

William with his brothers "back in the day"

Image
User avatar
Gary Watkins
Posts: 1768
Joined: 14 May 2004 12:01 am
Location: Bristol, VA

Post by Gary Watkins »

Sorry to hear about your friend. Prayers sent!
If you succeed in cheating someone, don't think that the person is a fool. It's just that the person trusted you far more than you deserved.
User avatar
Larry Dering
Posts: 6003
Joined: 17 May 2013 11:20 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Post by Larry Dering »

Ross, sounds like you answered his life long dream. I'm sure it gave Ron a warm feeling of joy in his last few month's stay on earth. My prayers for your friend and his family.
Jim Pitman
Posts: 2043
Joined: 29 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

Post by Jim Pitman »

Sorry for your loss Ross.