Obituary of Leslie H. Waddill

Leslie H. Waddill passed away in the early morning hours, Friday, October 21, 2011, at the age of 74 in Ocala, Florida. Les was born in Everett, PA on January 13, 1937. He was the son of William Clay Waddill and Rebecca Ruth Hoover. He graduated from Everett High School in 1954 where he was a star athlete on his high school football team. Les joined the Navy at age 17 and embarked on a four year adventure as an Electronics Technician that took him from training at Great Lakes, Illinois to ports throughout the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. After his time in the Navy, Les began a career in Government Service Contracting, first with RCA and later with GE and Loral Space Corps. His career spanned nearly four decades during which time he met his wife, started a family, and influenced the lives of countless co-workers throughout the islands that he loved so much. Of the things he was most proud in life, none came higher than his love and devotion to family. He was an avid traveler who was always planning life's next grand adventure. He was proud of having met the Queen of England, and all of the original seven astronauts. Of his greatest work accomplishments he held none in higher regard than the invaluable work he conducted on the Eastern Missile Test Range in the 1960s and 70s and his personal contribution to the TV Marti Project in the 1980s. Les is survived by his wife, Carolyn, their three children, Jennifer Gregory, Diana Moreno, and LCDR Clay Waddill, and their four grandchildren Kyle Bynum, Julian and Olivia Moreno, and Claire Waddill. A small family memorial service will be held in Bedford, Pennsylvania at a future date to be determined by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to Hospice of Marion County, Florida.