W. L. Leonard Bledsoe, 69, of Carbon passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at an Abilene hospital.  Graveside services were held on Aug. 30 at the Bear Springs Cemetery.  Mr. Bledsoe was born on July 4, 1938, in Stamford, TX to James Cicero and Lillian Inez (Willert) Bledsoe.  He was raised in Ranger.  When he was 7 years old his father died and he began making his own way in life working odd jobs.  He began working as a welder's helper for R. M. Snead, mentored by Red Warren.  He became a pipeline welder in 1959.  He married Mittie Lenora Rone on May 29, 1959.  They lived in Eastland and Carbon before settling at their current home near Carbon.  Mr. Bledsoe enjoyed farming and ranching and loved spending time with his family, where his grandchildren were his pride and joy.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ranger and served on the Carbon School Board for 16 years.  He was a member of the Carbon Lion's Club and the Carbon Volunteer Department.  He was Zone 4 Conservation Farmer of the year in 1983.  He was preceded in death by a son, Malcom, in 1961, as well as two sisters, Inez Dumith and Lou Terry and one brother, Gene.  Survivors include his wife Mittie of Carbon, sons Gary and DeeDee Bledsoe of Springtown, Mike and Elisa Bledsoe and Randy and Sonja Bledsoe all of Carbon; a brother J. E. Bledsoe of Cypress; 2 sisters, Vi Daskevich of Midland and Barbara Lewis of Breckenridge and 8 grandchildren