DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 1997             TAG: 9710210154

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   48 lines

W. LEO SADDLER

W. Leo Saddler of the 2900 block of Mapleton Ave. died Oct. 18, 1997, in Sentara Leigh Hospital after an extended illness.

Born in Hartwell, Ga., on Jan. 8, 1921, to the late Lucy Duncan and Asbury Saddler, he graduated from Hart County Training School. He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hampton (Institute) University in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he received a WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a station supervisor in 1978.

Mr. Saddler was very active in community service. He was a member of the board of directors at the Hunton YMCA, chairman of the board of directors of The STOP Organization, an area representative of the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Selected Service Board, a lifetime member of the NAACP and the Hampton Pirates' Boosters' Club. In 1990, he was appointed to service on Virginia's Equal Employment Opportunity Council by former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.

He was a lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and was active in Norfolk's Lambda Omega Chapter. In 1986 he was named the chapter's ``Citizen of the Year.''

At his church, First Baptist, Bute Street, where he taught Sunday School for several years, he was a member of the Men's Progressive League, the Finance Committee and the Orchestra Sunday School Class.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Bell Saddler at the home; a daughter, Dr. Valerie S. Saddler of Winston Salem, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Randolph Bell Jr. of Norfolk; two aunts, Anna Harper and Rosa Mae Goss of Hartwell, Ga.; numerous cousins and extended family members.

A funeral will be conducted at noon Thursday in the First Baptist Church, 418 Bute St., by the Rev. Robert Murray. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. A wake will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church where the Omega Service will be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to: The American Heart Association, Tidewater Council Area Office, 360 Southport Circle, Virginia Beach, Va. 23452; First Baptist Church Family Life Center or Shepherd's Way Adult Home, 418 Bute St., Norfolk, Va. 23501; or Hampton University's 50th Reunion Class, Class of 1948, c/o Alumni Office, Hampton, Va. 23368.

Hale Funeral Home is handling arrangements. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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