Benjamin H. Leader

Benjamin H. Leader, 89, retired electrical engineer, died Monday, June 16, 2025.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday, July 7, 2025, at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church.

Benjamin was married to Betty Manspeaker and she passed away June 14, 2018. Although they had no children, they were much loved by their nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, and extended family members. Ben’s real name was Benjamin Hershel Leader, but to us he was our fun Uncle Sam. A lot of things brought Sam joy in his later years, often sharing his fond childhood memories that were especially important to him. He loved telling stories about his father growing watermelons and he and his brothers selling them.  Benjamin was a skilled cook and hosted many family dinners and was known for his mouth-watering turkey gravy.  He expressed his love for his sister, Pam and her family and his brother Charles Wade on many occasions and how grateful he was they were his family.

Benjamin was an Air Force Veteran, worked at Boeing until he received his degree in Electrical Engineering and worked for KG&E until his retirement. Benjamin and Betty were key members and helped start Chapel Hill Methodist Church in Wichita. He was solid and strong in his faith. For many years, he and Betty volunteered at InterFaith Ministries and fed the homeless community on Saturdays. Their mission was helping people in need. They wanted and did make a sincere difference in the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. They sponsored and befriended many families from other countries seeking refuge in the United States. Benjamin lived a life of service to others. Benjamin was a member of the Church of the Resurrection Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Father Terry Hedrick, PhD and Benjamin had an exceptional friendship, often confiding in one another and a love for the gospel. When Benjamin became ill, Father Terry spent countless hours every week reading Bible verses and playing music for Benjamin, providing solace for Ben and his family members. Jeff Gannon and Father Terry were extraordinary faith friends and very supportive to Ben as he walked his path of loving Jesus which became the ever present and lasting focus of his life.

Benjamin was an avid traveler, bird watcher and story teller.

Benjamin is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Otis and Annie Marie (Sizemore) Leader; wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (Manspeaker) Leader; and brother, Spencer Leader. He is survived by his brother, Charles Wade (Sharon) Leader of Douglass, KS; Sister, Pam Marie Leader of Norman, OK; Sisters-in-law, Lenore Leader of Wichita, KS, Nancy A. Smith of El Dorado, KS, Ruth Hinshaw of Andover; nephews, Jeff Leader, Paul David Leader, Charles Duncan Leader, Justin Eric Tate, John Manspeaker and Kevin Hinshaw; nieces, Susan Renee Leader, Jessica Marie Tate, Betty Wise, Lynn Boes, Peggy Neises, Mary Ann Schnack and Terri Keacher; special and dear friends, Anita (Foster) Warriner and Family and Father Terry and Julie Hedrick.

Memorials have been established with: American Leprosy Missions, P. O. Box 758631, Topeka, KS 66675-8631 or Nature Conservancy of Kansas, P. O. Box 4345, Topeka, KS 66604.