Leon Wellington Sites Jr.

Leon Wellington Sites Jr., born January 24, 1953, the first son of Leon and Leona Sites, died Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the age of 73. A man of few words, Leon was talented in so many ways time and space doesn’t permit elaboration on all. He never let his birth defect dictate who he was or what he could and couldn’t do. If he was told he couldn’t do something, he’d show you he could and would excel at it! He was a drummer in the Charleston High School band (Class of 1971/1972) and went on to use his talent for God playing in churches and functions for many years; being a drummer was his true love and passion and it has been said he was the best drummer in all Kanawha Valley in his day. Leon was one of the hardest working men a person would have ever met. He did lots of different jobs in his lifetime, but being an over the road truck driver was a true passion. He traveled the lower 48 states and Canada delivering products to keep America going. His ability behind the wheel afforded him the opportunity to train others. If “Stubby” trained you, you received the best of the best. Best of all that was Leon, Leon knew God. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues and was baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus according to Acts 2:38 as a young adult. He preached and taught the Word of God and gave his testimony of his conversion from Catholicism every chance he got. In 2015 he participated in a missionary trip to Kenya, Africa where he and two others baptized over 100 people. His love for God, his country, and his fellowman was another great asset of who Leon was. Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Leona Surbaugh Sites; maternal grandparents, John and Eva Alderson (who raised Leon and his siblings after the tragic death of their mother in 1958); paternal grandparents, Eldridge and Lena Sites; his sister, Janice Sites Tittle; and, his wife of 40 years, Debra. Leon is survived by his loving wife, Loretta; son, Joel; grandsons, Blaine, Joel, and Will; and brother, Byron. In keeping with Leon’s wishes, a private graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Cunningham Memorial Park, Upper Mausoleum Chapel in St. Albans with Pastor Anthony Moss officiating. Contributions in memory of Leon may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (https:donorservices.alz.org) in hopes that a cure will be found for this horrible disease that robs people of the very thing we all cherish most … our memories; or to Hospice Care (https://www.hospicecarewv.org/make-a-donation). And, remember, when you’re enjoying all the conveniences life has afforded you, a trucker was part of the process of getting those items to the store and to your home. Trucking is hard work and the folks behind that wheel sacrifice a lot to keep things moving. You may visit Leon’s tribute page at BartlettNichols.com to share memories or condolences with the family. Bartlett-Nichols Funeral Home, family owned and located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St. Albans is honored to serve the Sites family.

Leon Wellington Sites Jr.

January 24, 1953 - May 12, 2026