Leshell Vance, MCPO (E-9), USN (Ret), age 60, longtime Coupeville resident, passed away at his home on Thursday, Aug. 24, with his loving family at his side.

Vance was born in Bessemer, Ala., on Nov. 5, 1956, to Henry Vance and Martha (Gibbs) Vance. He graduated from high school in Bessemer, and then attended Dillard University in New Orleans. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1976, and retired at NAS Whidbey with the rank of master chief.

Leshell married Rosario (Rose) Estrada in the Philippines on July 19, 1981, and they came to Oak Harbor in 1983.

He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with his Bachelors of Science in professional aeronautical and from the Chapman University with his bachelors of science degree in computer information systems. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Leshell is survived by his loving wife Rose; his two daughters, Roshelle Wright (Dylan) of Portland, Ore., and Leslie Jane Vance of Burlington; one granddaughter, Sienna Rose Wright; his siblings: Octavia Johnson (Murray) of Shreveport, La., Vilgil Vance (Jan) of Montgomery, Ala., Brenda Vance of Bessemer, Ala., Wardell Vance (Shirley) of Nashville, Tenn.; his sister-in-law Carolyn Gibbs of California City, Calif.; also by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Andre Vance and O’Neal Gibbs.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Whidbey Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will take place at 1 p.m on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, with military honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard.

Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com