Bill H. "Moon"

Leys

William H. "Moon" Leys, 99, of 107 Champlin Place North, Newport, passed away on November 14, 2026. Mr. Leys was born in Newport on May 28, 1927 to William A. and Aline (Price) Leys and grew up on Gibbs Avenue. He was married in 1957 to the late Patricia Leys. They were married over 44 years prior to her passing. The year they were married, the couple built their home on Champlin Place North where they raised their family and where Mr. Leys lived for nearly 70 years. He liked to observe that he lived his whole life within two blocks.

Mr. Leys graduated from Rogers High School in 1944 and attended MIT before leaving to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1945. He served in the Navy during latter part of World War II, becoming an aviation electronics technician's mate, third class. After being honorably discharged in 1946, he attended Brown University where he received a bachelor's degree with the class of 1950.

Upon graduation he returned to Newport where he worked in the family business, the former Leys Century Store. He also became involved in local politics. In 1952 he was elected to and served as secretary of Newport's first Home Rule Charter Commission, which drafted the charter that changed Newport from a strong Mayor to a City Council-Manager form of government. That year he was also elected to a short term on the last Representative Council and then served two terms on the new City Council as an at-large councilman.

In 1961 he was appointed executive director of the Redevelopment Agency of Newport and served in that capacity throughout the urban renewal projects that reshaped many areas of Newport, including Goat Island, much of downtown, Historic Hill, and parts of Broadway and West Broadway (now Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Blvd.). He also served as the administrator of community development grants, providing grants and loans to low and middle income Newporters, and as public facilities manager for Newport before retiring in 1992.

Mr. Leys was active in many civic and charitable groups over the years. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club, a member of the Easton's Beach Commission, President of the Trustees of Long Wharf and Public Schools, Chair of the Martin Luther King Center Advisory Committee, and a member of the boards of directors of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, the Brick Market Foundation, Lucy's Hearth Community Housing Development Corp, and the Redwood Library. Mr. Leys was also a founding board member of the Fort Adams Trust and East Bay Habitat for Humanity. He was a longtime active parishioner of St. Joseph's Church, where he served on the Finance Committee, was President of its St. Vincent De Paul Society, and a volunteer in its soup kitchen for many years. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of Newport Hospital and corporator of BankNewport.

Mr. Leys had a curiosity for many subjects and pursued a number of hobbies throughout his life, including electronics, photography, printing, and travel with his wife and their friends. He also enjoyed many summer days and evenings sailing on Narragansett Bay with his brother Bud and other family members on their boat, the "Buwi." Continuing an interest from his redevelopment days, in later years he liked to check in on projects going on around the city. He loved Newport and had a great interest in its progress.

He will always be remembered by his family for his kindness, patience, generosity, and positive outlook on life. Moon's greatest legacy was imparting his generosity and humanity to his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, and father and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and neighbors.Mr. Leys is survived by his sons Bill (Diane) and Matthew (Michelle) and eight grandchildren: Bill, Amanda, Abby, Lila and Ben Leys and Patrick, Eric and Matthew Dyl. He also leaves eight great-grandchildren (and a ninth on the way!), son-in-law James Thomas, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Patricia, he was predeceased by his daughter Pam Thomas, sister Jean Rockwell, and brother David P. "Bud" Leys.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 20, 2026 4:00pm - 7:00pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 21, at 10:00am at St. Joseph's Church, Mann Ave at Broadway, Newport. Burial will follow in St. Columba Catholic Cemetery, 465 Brown's Ln., Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in his name to a Newport charity of your choice.