Obituary: Leinen, William John “Billy”
Age 50
LEINEN,
William John “Billy”
On February 24, 2016 our world suffered a deep loss, as William John Leinen’s ventures here on planet Earth, were deemed complete and he was called home at only 50 years of age.
William is more affectionately known as “Billy” by friends and family and “Beo” by his mom and siblings.
He was born on October 13, 1965 in New Brunswick, New Jersey and truly found home when he moved to Medical Lake, Washington as a young child.
The deepest of family bonds and a huge circle of the best friends life could ever offer always brought him back home to Medical Lake.
Billy’s heart was always full of passion, adventure and love.
These were all reflected in his daily life as his need to love, guide and protect was always strong.
He loved music such as 80s power ballads from Journey and Foreigner and had a magnificent singing voice that he shared most while driving in his beautiful cars.
He loved to swim, boat and watch the sun set and rise and could find beauty anywhere.
He took grand adventures up to Alaska and out onto the Bering Sea where he found a new crew to guide, lead and protect.
He also met his wife, of 27 years, Rachel, at sea before coming home and starting his family.
His children: Chelsea, Bree Ann and Mason were ultimately his greatest loves and most valued gifts to this world and while Billy loved all his family his best friends and truest comrades in arms will always be his brother Stephen Leinen and their cousin Danny Del Rosso.
Professionally, he and Stephen found home in the car business at Chaplin’s of Bellevue.
Through the guidance and friendship of Kent Chaplin, Billy rose from salesman to Finance Manager and ultimately the Volkswagon Brand Manager.
His career was cut short when he was diagnosed with stage four non-hodgkin lymphoma.
Although the doctors wanted to make him comfortable and send him home, Billy’s indomitable spirit prevailed and through the prayers and support of his family and friends and most especially the crew at Chaplin’s (Kent has been a beloved friend and mentor since the mid 90’s) Billy was healed.
Four years later he was struck down by Adriamycin (one of the chemo-therapy drugs) induced cardiomyopathy, requiring placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or mechanical heart - it gave all of us five more years with him.
He was preceded in death by his brother Jonathan Dixon, aunt Kathy Becker, cousins Danny and Matthew Del Rosso and his biological father Wayne Leinen.
He is survived by his mom and dad Janice and Thom Dixon, brothers: Stephen Leinen, Thomas (Nicole) and James Dixon, his sister Jeannine Dixon-Thorpe, his children: Chelsea Avilla (Max), Bree Ann Leinen and son Mason Leinen, his uncle John and aunt Laura Meckel, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held for Billy at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 708 E Lake Street, Medical Lake, WA 99022 on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 1:00PM.