Leslie Francis

Graveside services for Leslie Earl Francis will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 6, 2006 at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with Pastor Troy Heidt of Lighthouse Assembly in Upton, Wyoming officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to the time of service at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home.Leslie Francis, age 68, of Upton, Wyoming passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at his home after an 8 year battle with cancer.Leslie was born on August 6, 1938 the son of Raymond Leslie and Verna Lettie (Pierce) Francis. He was raised in Torrington graduating from Torrington High School in 1958, home of the Trailblazers. Shortly after graduating he married his first true love, Sharon Marie Henderson on August 23, 1959 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Sharon soon found that Leslie was a jack-of-all-trades, able to fix and do anything. They never strayed far from Torrington, living most of their married life in northeast Wyoming. His most memorable places of employment began with the Holy Sugar factory in Torrington, where his father had also worked. His primary skill was as a CAT operator as he worked in the timber, the bentonite plant and other various places here and there. He knew that was what he wanted be from the time he was 5 years old, as he was fascinated by watching them as he played at home. Yellowstone National Park was his most prized place of employment. After retirement, he became a grounds keeper in Mammoth Hot Springs and that was his dream come true! Yellowstone was his favorite vacation destination.Leslie loved the outdoors. He was thrilled when he watched the elk during rutting season and the bears as they played, a momma with her cubs. However, his most heated passion was motorcycles. Having owned one from high school, it was his hobby to always customize them, tinkering in the shed as his family called it. He was a faithful Sturgis rally attendee, every year admiring the bikes. There was never a conversation with him when motorcycles were not the topic. He also loved cars and airplanes and put many a model together. He took great pride in everything he owned and was a perfectionist with everything he touched.Leslie is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters: Debra Kay (Karl) Hopp, Sara Jane Barber and Pamela Joy Francis, all of Gillette, Wyoming; son, Dwayne Leslie (Sonia) Francis of Hickam AFB in Hawaii; sister, Vera Emily (Larry) Williams of Carpenter, Wyoming; grandchildren: Aaron Raymond (Emily) Hopp, Ashley Marie Hopp, Asia Kay Hopp, Eric James Barber, Justin Earl Barber, Emily Lee Barber, Gracie Jane Barber, Crystal Ai Francis; great grandchildren; Jared Allen Heinrich, Jason Raymond Hopp; step grandchildren/great grandchildren; Mica Francis, Taka Francis, Ginny Rose Heinrich and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents.The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for all who have touched Leslie during his life. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Leslie?s name in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.