William “Leon” Dempsey was recognized at the Missouri Veterans Home, surrounded by family and friends old and new, as the March 2025 Veteran Spotlight. With him were Dempsey’s three …
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William “Leon” Dempsey was recognized at the Missouri Veterans Home, surrounded by family and friends old and new, as the March 2025 Veteran Spotlight. With him were Dempsey’s three sons Melvin, Mike and Larry and his wife Marianne.
Originally born in Bowling Green, Dempsey grew up working at his family farm alongside his five siblings. After graduation in 1950, he went on to become a truck driver for about a year before he was drafted.
In August 1952, Dempsey was drafted into the Army where he served for two years during the Korean war. In the Army, he became a drill sergeant and eventually a sergeant of basic training. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.
After returning home, Dempsey got another job in the trucking industry hauling grain in Vandalia before becoming a manager at MFA. He was a dedicated worker who believed if you were 15 minutes late, you shouldn’t get to work and someone else can do your job.
Dempsey’s work ethic landed him many leadership roles throughout his lifetime. When he was 24-years-old, Dempsey was ordained as a deacon. Dempsey was mayor of Vandalia for four years as well as an Alderman. He also served his community as chairman of Clarence Canon Water District and a Vandalia firefighter.
Dempsey moved to the Missouri Veterans Home in November 2023 where he will add “March 2025 Veterans Spotlight recipient” to his already long list of achievements.
