Leslie Wayne Goddard, 66, of Drayden, MD died March 31, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born November 20, 1942 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late Thomas Albert and Grace Elizabeth Goddard.

He was a waterman most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1964-1966 where he received many honors such as; Marksman Badge, Expert Rifleman, Good Conduct Medal (both services), Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Campaign Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Presidential Memorial Certificate for his service to his country. He also served as a Seabee in the Navy Reserves from 1983-1986. He was honorably discharged from both branches of service.

He was employed at Patuxent River NAS public works department as a painter from 1978 to 1988 before leaving to start his own painting and restoration business and to become the caretaker of the historical Porto Bello Farm for the past 18 years.

He is survived by his wife, BettyCarol, his three children; Louise "Chickie" Goddard of Mechanicsville, MD, Christy Bixby and her husband Jeff of California, MD and Paul Goddard and his wife Christie of Panama City, FL, as well as Vikki Owens of Mechanicsville, MD who was like a daughter to him, his sisters; Barbara Ann Burke of Tall Timbers, MD and Deborah Hills and her husband Larry of Great Mills, MD, brothers; Thomas "Buzzy" Goddard, II and his wife Ragna of Higganum, CT, Roy Goddard of Tall Timbers, MD and Curtis Goddard and his wife Cheryl of Lusby, MD as well as his grandchildren; Aimee and Brooke Bixby, both of California, MD, Jonathan, Steven, Brandon, Nicolas and Lindsey Goddard, all of Panama City, FL.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Joan Elizabeth Melendy, Gladys Lorraine Goodwin and his brother David Samuel Goddard.

He loved the outdoors and enjoyed walking along local beaches hunting for arrowheads and pottery. He also enjoyed riding through the trails he made on his ATV.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in St. George's Episcopal Church, Valley Lee, MD where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM in St. George's Episcopal Church with Rev. Gregory Syler officiating and Fr. Joseph Dobson co-officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Danny O'Conner, Jeff Bixby, Bill Goddard, Bruce Julian, David Goddard and Larry Hills. Honorary pallbearers will be Benji Goddard and Randy Lumpkins.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Mary's Unit, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, MD 20653 and/or St. George's Episcopal Church, Father Dale Cropper Memorial, P.O. Box 30, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.