YOUNGSVILLE—  Leelan Alvin Woodlief, 87, died Saturday, March 1, 2014. Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 5, at Youngsville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Charles Stratton officiating. Burial was in Youngsville Cemetery with military honors.

He was born in Franklin County, the son of late Addie Finch Woodlief and Benjamin Franklin Woodlief. Leelan graduated from Youngsville High School in 1943; Louisburg College in 1948, where he played baseball and basketball, and from North Carolina State University in 1950, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and lettered in baseball and basketball. He served in the US Navy on board the USS Adirondack from 1944-1946.

Leelan made contributions to his community in countless ways. He was manager of Woodlief Supply Company and owner of Woodlief Fertilizer and Insurance.   In the town of Youngsville and Franklin County, he was elected Commissioner.

Surviving: wife, Ellen Watkins Woodlief;  daughter, Connie Ellen Woodlief Moreadith; sons, Leelan Mark Woodlief (Kim) and Larry Joseph Woodlief (Lucia); grandchildren, Kathryn and Andrew Moreadith, Chris and Kayla Tidwell, and Sarah Livengood Roy; sister, Rachel Cox; brothers, Wilbur Woodlief (Jean) and J. Curtis Woodlief (Helen); 16 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Stancil Woodlief.

Memorial donations may be made to the Youngsville Baptist Church Window Preservation Fund or in memoriam to Chief Leelan Woodlief at the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 238, Youngsville, NC 27596.

Online condolences may be made at www.brightfunerals.com.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest.