TERRELL, Texas — Leon S. "Sonnybuck" Allison, Sr., age 62, of Terrell, Texas, formerly of Gary, departed this life on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 in Terrell.

Leon was born December 22, 1947 in Gary and was the son of Leon "Babe" Allison of Gary and the late Grace L. Thompson Allison. He attended Gary District High School, was a graduate of Gary High School, Class of 1967 and attended Bluefield State College. He played football for two years with the Canadian Football League and received an award and was inducted into the WV ABSSA Hall of Fame in April 2008 as an outstanding athlete.

Leon was employed with U.S. Steel in Gary for 15 years and a member of the UMWA Local No. 7905. He was a police officer and Fire Chief for the City of Gary for 25 years. In 1986, he moved to Terrell and worked for Bibble Construction Company, Terry City Water Treatment Plant and was last employed as a foreman for Ingersoll-Rand in Garland, Texas. He was a member and served as junior warden of Shiloh Masonic Lodge No. 153 and attended the Church of Christ in Terrell.

In addition to his mother, those preceding him in death include his wife, Maggie Allison; and his son, Corey D. Allison, Sr.; and a grandson, Savaught R. Younger. Leon leaves many cherished memories to his father; and his children, Tracy Allison of Gary, Leon Allison, Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Nichole Allison, Thomas Casey, Jr. and Carlos Casey and wife, Zuleka, all of Terrell, Nicholas and wife, Shawn Allison and Katrina Casey, both of Dallas, Texas, LaJuan Moore of Bluefield; one sister, Betty Grace Maxwell and husband, James of Terrell; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two nephews; one niece; and a host of other relatives and many friends.