William Gene "Bill" Lesher, 71, died on August 25, 2017 from complications related to multiple myeloma. He was born March 21, 1946 in Logansport, Indiana, the beloved son of Raymond and Marjorie (Logan) Lesher.

He was a US Army veteran, and after discharge received a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. He then began a long public policy career, including positions as Chief Economist of the U.S. Senate Committee for Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and Partner of the agriculture policy consulting firm Lesher & Russell Inc., where he was instrumental in shaping US agriculture policy.

Bill never forgot his roots on the family farm in rural Indiana, his father Raymond's strong work ethic or his mother Marjorie's penchant for no fuss, tidiness and being properly dressed. Bill loved his grandchildren immensely and enjoyed sports, reading and politics; he also had a big sweet tooth. He touched the lives of many, and he will be sorely missed.

He was predeceased by his wife Joyce (Dixon) Lesher. He is survived by his son Sean Lesher and his wife Michele, daughter Molly Lesher and her husband Patrick Armstrong; sister Darlene Weaver and her husband Nelson; grandchildren Zachary and Nathan Lesher, Aidan, Gavin and Madeleine Armstrong; step-daughter Lisa Clements, step-son Gene Miller and his wife Kathy.

Family will receive friends between 10:00 am and 11:00 am on Wednesday September 6, 2017 at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 where a funeral service will immediately follow starting at 11:00 am.
Send condolences to www.colonialfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in Bill's name by going to www.themmrf.org or mailing to The Multiple Melanoma Research Foundation, PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241.