William Leonelli

William “Billy” Martin Leonelli, a lifelong resident of Tooele, Utah, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2026, at Mountain West Medical Center at the age of 86. He was born in Tooele on June 28, 1940.

Billy was born to Joseph R. and Mary L. (Pannunzio) Leonelli. He was the middle child between two siblings, Tony F. Leonelli and Louise (Leonelli) Crumbie. A proud graduate of Tooele High School, Class of 1959, Billy was active in high school athletics including Basketball, Swimming and Golf.

On October 21, 1961, he married his sweetheart Elizabeth Jane Boe. Billy and Lizzie had two sons, Martin “Marty” William Leonelli and Michael Joquin Leonelli, all residing in Tooele.

Post-graduation Billy attended trade school to become a machinist. To earn money to pay for his barn, he worked at his Godfather Red Delpapa’s bar. He later drove a cement mixer truck and enjoyed driving the big equipment. Billy eventually took a job at Tooele Army Depot, where he worked as a millwright and later became a safety officer until his retirement from civilian service. Not one to stay idle, he quickly returned to truck driving, working for Western Excavating, Bolinder's Company as well as Broken Arrow.

Later in life, he could be found on the Oquirrh Hills Golf Course enjoying a round with his friends. Like his father, he was an avid sports fan and held season tickets for both the Utah Jazz and University of Utah Men’s Basketball.

Billy’s true passion was horses. He relieved stress by trail riding in the Oquirrh Mountains and deer hunting in White Pine, engraving his initials in trees along the way. His journey began with the Bit-N-Spur Riding Club which sparked a lifelong passion for training and showing horses. Over the years, he developed a keen intuition for training horses as well as his dogs. Billy and Liz served together on the Rodeo Committee and organized the White Memorial Horse Show for many years. Weekends were filled with Billy and his sons riding and showing horses. He loved being a gateman for the Days of ‘47 Rodeo. He began competing in IRHA reigning and working cow horse competitions, winning numerous awards. An accomplished AQHA horse judge, Billy judged horse shows all over the United States and Canada. He also took great pride in teaching horsemanship to Miss Rodeo Utah and America contestants.

Everyone was welcome to Sunday family dinners at Billy and Liz’s home, where delicious Italian meals - especially spaghetti - were served. He loved his grandchildren more than anything and delighted in their every accomplishment. He drove his side-by-side all over Tooele listening to Hispanic music while visiting family and friends. He loved finding a good deal at the swap meet, Hy & Mike’s Pawn Shop or auction, attending Mass and going to concerts in Wendover.

Billy was a jokester in rose-colored glasses and made everyone smile at his outrageous hats. Kind and generous to all, he always had a smile on his face.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary; brother, Tony; sister, Louise and his beloved wife, Elizabeth.

He is survived by his sons: Marty (Angie) Leonelli and Michael (Johanna) Leonelli both of Tooele; his grandchildren: Shane (Hollie) Leonelli, Taelor (Tyler) Castagno, Shawna Leonelli, Shelbe (Dalton) Leonelli, Ella Rose Leonelli and Ava Leonelli; and his great-grandchildren: Greyson, Eisley and James Castagno.

A night viewing will be held Friday, November 6, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main Street, Tooele, Utah. A visitation will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Tate Mortuary, with the memorial service following at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements by Tate Mortuary.

Oh, the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say; This is where the Cowboy rides away.