Obituary - Will Ernest Leonard III

Will “Biff” Ernest Leonard III of Richmond, VA passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, wisdom, and a deep love for family and music. Born on November 8, 1957, in New Orleans, LA, he was the beloved son of Peggy Jane Crosby and Will E. Leonard II. His mother later married Frank Fodor, both of whom preceded him in death. His father also passed before him, but his stepmother, Maureen Leonard, remains to treasure his memory.

Biff is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy Leonard, and his beloved daughter with Karen Merk, Katie Beth Leonard Brown, whom he raised with unwavering love and commitment. Katie and her husband, Christopher Brown, blessed him with two precious grandchildren, Will and Kayla Brown. Biff also cared deeply for Christopher’s son from a previous marriage, Nyonteh Brown.

Though Nancy came into Biff’s life later, their 17 years together were filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. She gave him the love he deserved, looking up to him—quite literally—and cherishing every moment they spent together. She was his partner, his best friend, and his greatest source of happiness in his later years.

Biff adored his grandchildren, Will and Kayla, and they brought immense joy and light into his life. He cherished every moment spent with them, whether sharing stories, making them laugh, or simply being present in their lives. They were his pride and joy, and his love for them was endless.

Biff was a loving brother to Robert “Bob” Leonard (Amy), Elizabeth “Beth” Riddle (James), Stephen Leonard (Odile), Christopher Leonard, Colleen Gans (Danny) and Leigh Oliver (Marcus). He was also a proud uncle to Lindsey and Scott Leonard, Sarah Snelling (Richard), Skye Darnell (Zach), Luke, Ariane, and Augustin Leonard, Christelle Leonard, Eliza and Willow Gans, and Owen and Nellie Oliver.

Biff dedicated over three decades to his profession in real estate appraisal, earning the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers Lifetime Achievement Award (2018). He retired from the Henrico County Assessor’s Office in 2019 after 32 years of service, where he worked as a Real Estate Section Manager and Commercial Appraisal Supervisor. In addition, he was the proud owner of Leonard Appraisal Services from 1991 until his passing. His academic achievements included a Master’s in Real Estate and Urban Development from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 1994.

Beyond his career, Biff’s greatest joy was spending time with his daughter, Katie. He was an incredibly involved and supportive father, coaching sports, attending concerts together, and making cherished memories fishing in Hatteras, NC, which they did 4-5 times a year for the past 30 years.

Biff had an insatiable love for music, particularly blues and rock with “wailing guitars.” He built an extensive collection of CDs, frequently visiting record stores and attending countless concerts. During his time at VCU, he hosted a radio show and served as head of the Concert Committee, organizing legendary performances by artists such as Santana, Muddy Waters, Silver Bullet Theory, The Ramones, and more at venues like The Mosque (now the Altria Theater) and on campus.

Biff was a mentor to many throughout his career, always willing to share his vast knowledge with those eager to learn. Though not always outwardly emotional, he had a profound impact on the lives of those around him, holding his friends and colleagues close to his heart. Most importantly, he raised his daughter on his own, and she was the absolute center of his world.

Biff’s kindness, wisdom, and love for music and family will forever be remembered. His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of his life will be held at his home on March 23, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to the Save the Music Foundation.