I heard of Leslie's death too late to attend the service, and have been steeling myself to the emotional impact of reading this online guestbook ever since, because I simply cannot believe he's gone. To say that Leslie (whom I admired so much that using his first name remained awkward for me even years after I was a lowly student) changed the course of my life is an understatement. His translation course was the first one I took in grad school at UT, and attempting to trying to live up to his expectations of me has molded my professional decisions in the ensuing two-plus decades. Despite his elevated status as a translator, he took the time and made the effort to encourage my own literary translation career. His quiet dignity, his lovely cackle of a laugh when something amused him, the crinkling up of his eyes--those things are be indelibly printed on my memory. His contribution to Germanistik and to literary translation is too immense to sum up in words. I am honored to have known him and will always remember him with great fondness, especially when I see the Grass book he so generously passed on to me. It is but one tangible in a long series of intangible ways he made an impact on my life and career.

The last thing that Leslie said to Sam and I last year was to "Take Care of Texas". We hope to do that.

I only remember meeting Leslie once. I was raised by Vollie and Doris Willson who was Leslie's Aunt and Uncle. Vollie was the brother of Amos. I had many family photos from Doris and Vollie, and after their deaths, contacted Leslie during a trip to Austin. I went to his home and took the photographs and visited him and Jeanne while he told me about the photographs. They were very kind. Doris and Vollie probably saved me, they could never have children of their own. I'm very sorry for your great loss. Lynda Wheat

Dad - I miss you every day. Guess I'll really have to grow up now ...
Give Mom a big hug for me, okay?

I love you,
Julie

Besides his other impressive accomplishments, Leslie also served as President of the American Translators Association from 1991-1993 followed by a two-year stint as member of the editorial board of the ATA Chronicle, the association’s monthly magazine. His contributions in both positions were invaluable. Leslie’s leadership was effective and innovative and his gentle humor, diplomacy, and prepossessing demeanor were greatly appreciated by all. It was a pleasure and an honor to work with him and he shall be sorely missed.

Lee K Curtis, ATA Chronicle Editor, 1993-1995

I met Mr. Willson in December while at home on leave from serving in Iraq. My step-mother, Carolyn Getting, took me to visit him and we shared observations from our time in the Army. It was a great pleasure to listen to his reminiscences on his time in the service during the second World War, and I will regret not having the chance to meet this fine man again.

-CW3 Jan Getting

While pursuing a German degree at the University of Texas, I had the pleasure of having Leslie as a professor for several classes. His love of German language and literature was infectious. He was truly a remarkable person. I was saddened to hear of his passing.

I knew Leslie as a fellow member of the American Translators Association, and as an enthusiastic promoter of literary translation. He contributed to the profession as a gentle man and a gentleman.

Jeanne and Leslie were dear friends, intimate members of our family. The memory of their love and friendship with John's parents and sister will endure as long as we live. Leslie challenged us to think broadly about many subjects for which we are grateful. Jeanne and Leslie were as interested in our activities as if we were actual family. Christmas eve was a particularly happy, inclusive time for all. Our trips to Austin were enriched by visiting the Willsons and our shared expeditions to Barnes and Noble. We miss Jeanne and we will miss Leslie.