Leon Warren Swilley, 97, of Toronto, KS passed away Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Yates Center Health & Rehab.

He was born October 17, 1920, in Toronto, KS to Warren and Ortha Swilley. He attended Big Sandy grade school. He graduated from Toronto High School in 1938.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Rosalie, who passed away in 2000.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Jerri Adams (Steve), Toronto and Kerri Robbins (Bart), Yates Center; 6 grandchildren, Jason Adams, Alicia Weide (Chris), Eli Shaffer (Julie), J J Bell (Angie), Beth Robbins (Mark), Becky Adams (Jeff), and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Helen Thomas and Ruth Chilcott, both of Toronto.

Leon was an avid hunter and fisherman even into his mid-nineties. He also loved to garden and always had a lot of produce to share.

He served in the army during WWII from 1942-1945. He was in the 6 ^th Cavalry Recon Troop in New Guinea and Philippines, receiving a Bronze Star Medal.

After he married Rosalie in 1948, they farmed near Toronto. Later, he worked some construction and retired from Colt Energy after 25 years.

In 1997, he renovated his uncle's house in Toronto, and they moved from the farm to town.

He was a member of the Toronto United Methodist Church and Toronto American Legion, Post 325. He was caretaker of Big Sandy Cemetery for many years until 2018.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center. Burial with military honors will follow in Big Sandy Cemetery southwest of Yates Center.

The family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Toronto American Legion and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.