Leo G. Briles

Leo G. Briles, formerly of Columbia, South Carolina, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of April 19, 2007 at William Hill Manor in Easton, Maryland, where he had lived for the past seven years. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana on May 29, 1925. Before he turned seventeen, Leo enlisted in the US Navy from Bloomington. He served in three different wars on foreign lands in three different branches of the military service (US Navy, US Army Air Corps and United States Air Force). Leo rose to the highest enlisted rank within the US Air Force Strategic Air Command by becoming a Chief Master Sergeant with two rocking chairs. He served throughout the Pacific, Asia, Korea, Europe and the United States at SAC bases across the country. Leo enjoyed his nearly thirty-five year military career and returned to Columbia to begin a new career after his retirement. He worked for the State of South Carolina’s Mental Health Facility in the Supply Division for another fifteen years in Columbia, making many new friends over the years. Leo was preceded in death by his father, Charles Briles; his mother, Mary Carpenter; his brother, Orville Briles; three sisters, Marie Harden, Mildred Haff, and Beula Ketchen; and his loving wife of fifty years, Naomi-Steppe-Catherine-Hollingsworth-Briles; a daughter, Pamela Steppe Briles; a stepson, Gary Alexander Hollingsworth; a daughter-in-law, Marcia Hollingsworth; and a grandson, Brandon Bowes. Leo is survived by a sister-in-law, Patricia Rankin of New York City; and a stepson Daniel Edward Hollingsworth, his wife Carol, and their daughter, Danielle, all of Easton. A stepdaughter, Gail Bowes, resides in North Carolina. Leo will be remembered by fourteen grandchildren and over thirty great-grandchildren. Leo also leaves many nieces and nephews to cherish his memory. He will be remembered by the caring staff members at William Hill Gardens and William Hill Manor, both in Easton. Additionally, Leo leaves a large military family from around the world and his many friends and family members in Alabama, California, Colorado, Indiana, Montana, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 28, at 11:00 AM at Elmwood Cemetery & Gardens in Columbia, South Carolina, where Leo will be buried alongside his wonderful, loving and devoted wife, Naomi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Leo’s honor are made to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD.