Leon Burtle Talley

July 15, 1933 - January 9, 2021 Resident of Leesburg, VA

After twelve years, Leon Talley, 87, lost his battle with cancer on January 9, 2021. Leon Talley was born to Willard and Della Mae (Statler) Talley on July 15, 1933 in Lixville, MO. Leon volunteered for the US Army in November 1952. Leon was assigned to the Northern Island, (Hokkaido), of Japan. It was there where he met the Love of his Life, Fusako Otani. They were married, at the American Embassy in Tokyo on Dec. 9, 1955.

Over the course of 30 years in the Army, Leon had two tours in Korea, two tours in Vietnam, one tour in Okinawa, and one tour in Germany and lived in nine different states. After 30 years, Leon retired as a Warrant Officer, acquiring the rank of CWO4 in 1982. His last tour was in San Jose, CA, working on the startup production of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. After retirement, Leon went to work for Kaiser Electronics. He worked for Kaiser Electronic (1982-1995) and Rockwell Collins (1995-2008) for 26 years. His final retirement from Rockwell Collins was due to his first cancer, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2015, Leon was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (cancer #2). He battled his cancer the same way he battled war; always moving and having a positive attitude.

Leon is survived by his brother Robert “Bob” (Shirley) Talley, Dean (Mary) Talley, Don Talley, two step-grandchildren, nine nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Leon and Fusako “June” (Otani) were never blessed with children. Late in his life, Leon adopted Dora Tann as his stepdaughter. Preceding Leon in death are Leon’s wife of 64 years, Fusako, his stepson, Narumi (Yukiko) Yanagiya, his parents, Willard and Della Mae Talley, his brother, Larry Talley and sister-in-law, Lorene Talley.

Leon’s wishes were to be buried next to his wife in Chitose, Japan. A military service is planned for Cape Girardeau, MO and a memorial service at the Lion’s Club of Japantown in San Jose, CA.