Middleburg mourns the passing of Bill Leach, who died at his home here on December 5, at the age of 79.

Leach and his wife, Betty worked, owned and managed Middleburg Hardware for nearly thirty years. He served as Middleburg's Town Manager, as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and for four years as Chairman of that Board.

Born and raised in Loudoun County, Leach graduated from Aldie High School.

He served as an active-duty officer in the United States Army in Korea, Panama, and West Germany, and later, as a member of the Army National Guard and Reserve.

After his active-duty service he attended Georgetown University.

Leach began his business career in the hardware business in Middleburg, worked at it for nearly thirty years, and sold it in 1984. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Middleburg Bank, and named "Man of the Year" by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce.

His first elected office was to the Middleburg Town Council.

In 1972, at 33, he became the youngest person ever elected to the County Board of Supervisors. He served on the Board for eight years, four of them as Chairman.

His public service, however, was not limited to elected office.

He served for two decades on the County Board of Zoning Appeals, and, on the state level, as a member of the Virginia State Board Of Corrections.

An active member of the Lion's Club, American Legion, and Masons, Leach also actively supported and worked with the Middleburg Fire and Rescue Squad.

Bill Leach is survived by his wife 56-years, Betty Moyer Leach; his daughters Nancy Olson and Carol McGhee, all of Middleburg; his grandchildren Sarah, Becky and Erin; by thousands of others, friends, family and associates, whose lives he touched.

Services were held on December 8 at Middleburg Baptist Church.

He and his family have asked those who wish to further honor his life and work to do so by contributing to Capital Hospice, Middleburg Fire and Rescue, or to the church to which he belonged, Middleburg Baptist.