Rev. William A. Leising, O.M.I.
...Oblate Priest, author of Arctic Wings, Canadian/Alaskan Missionary; 94
Shady Cove, OR - Rev. William A. Leising, O.M.I., age 94, a Catholic priest, pilot, and author,
died Thursday, May 10, in Medford, Oregon, following a long illness. He was a resident of
Central Pint, OR.
He was born March 31, in East Amherst, N.Y. the eldest on nine children born to the late George
J. and Mary R. Leising-Smith. After initially beginning his higher education in pre-medicine
studies at St. Bonaventure College in Olean, NY, he decided to enter the Roman Catholic
religious congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at Tewksbury, MA in 1933. After
finishing his theological studies at the Oblate College in Washington, D.C. he was ordained into
the priesthood by Cardinal Francis Spellman on May 27, 1940.
Fr. Leising received his first assignment to the Arctic Missions of the Mackenzie, Canada, where
he spent the next twenty-five years. He began by learning the Chipewayan language. During the
first ten years he often traveled by dog sled in winter, and boat by summer, to reach the missions
under his care.
In 1945, he produced an hour long film documentary entitled “Arctic Missions of the Mackenzie,”
with the support of Cardinal Spellmen in Yew York. In 1949, he was sent to Akalavik on the
Mackenzie Delta, where he was instrumental in setting up a radio station which broadcast in both
Eskimo and English languages.
In 1950, Fr. Leising obtained a pilot’s license and began a flying career that lasted until 1965. He
also obtained a private dental license.
In 1958, Fr. Leising collected all his papers and notes, and wrote “Arctic Wings,” published by
Doubleday in 1959. This exciting book sold over one half million copies. In 1965, Fr. Leising was
instrumental in the building of a radio station located at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in
Belleville, IL. In 1966, he was assigned as Pastor to St. Aloysius Parish in Greenbush, MN.
Then, in 1970, at the invitation of Archbishop Robert Dwyer of Portland, OR, he founded Our
Lady of Fatima Parish in Shady Cove, OR. He remained Pastor of Shady Cove in the Rogue
River Valley of Oregon until 1990, when he retired to Shady Point, OR.
Fr. Leising we predeceased by his parents; his brother, Hubert G.; and his sister, Rose E. Jewell.
He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Rev. Edmund N. Leising, OMI, Alfonse F. Leising,
Gerald A. Leising, Sister Dorothy Mary Leising, SSND, Sister Blanche Leising SSND, and Sister
Florence Leising, SSND. Among his surviving nieces and nephews is Rev. Robert G. Leising,
OMI. He also leaves his secretary, and faithful caretaker for many years, Jacqueline Arsenaud.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, May 18, in the Chapel at the Oblate
Father’s Residence, Tewksbury, MA. Burial followed at the Oblate
Father’s Cemetery in Tewksbury.