Leroy Howard Busch, Jr., 72, passed from this life at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas on February 8, 2012. A Visitation will be held at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange St. from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012. The funeral will be Monday, February 13 at 10:30 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 S. Pioneer Drive in Abilene, with Pastor Teresa Davis officiating and Albert Acosta of Minter Lane Church of Christ assisting. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of North’s Funeral Home. Leroy Howard Busch, Jr. was born March 27, 1939 to Leroy Howard and Alice Grace (Yarbrough) Busch in Kenedy, Karnes Co., Texas. Howard started school at a one-room school in New Bremen, Karnes County, Texas. He was confirmed at Elim Lutheran Church. In 1957, he graduated from Pawnee High School in Bee County, Texas and then attended Draughn's Business School. He started learning carpentry from his grandfather and his Dad. He continued to work in construction after moving to Abilene in 1962, and worked as foreman and project superintendent for various contractors. In later years, he was self-employed. He married Judith Williams in Abilene on December 26, 1963. He attended Minter Lane Church of Christ for many years and more recently Grace Lutheran Church. Howard enjoyed gardening, playing forty-two, building woodworking projects, solving crosswords, and researching genealogy and family history. He was also a Find-a-Grave volunteer. Howard was preceded in death by a son, Robert Dale Busch, and by his parents and grandparents. Survivors include his wife, Judith, of the home, a daughter, Katherine Denise Hickam, of Houston, two sisters and brothers-in-law: Linda and Harold Franke of Karnes City, TX and Diana and Dennis Koehler of New Braunfels, two nieces, two nephews and several great nieces and great nephews. Memorial gifts can be made in Howard's memory to the church or charity of your choice. Condolences may be made at www.northsfuneralhome.com