Anita Louise Wald Leach, Lt. Col., USAF, (retired), resident of O’Fallon Township, Ill., passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 64. She was born and raised on the west side of Tulsa and attended Daniel Webster High School, where she was president of her Senior Class. She was known by those who loved her as someone full of heart, strength, and deep devotion to her family.
Anita joined the United States Air Force in 1987 and went on to earn her master’s law degree from St. Louis University. She was adjunct professor at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., and assisted with training law students at Southern Illinois University (SIUE), in Edwardsville, Ill.
During her years of military service, she worked in Human Resource Administration, serving at the Pentagon as an assistant to high-level executives and dignitaries. She also completed two tours in the Middle East and a year in Korea. She served as Commander of the 90th Mission Support Squadron at FE Warren AFB, Inspector General West at National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) in St. Louis, and Chief of Readiness & Integration Division at HQ AMC, Scott AFB, Ill., among several other leadership positions. Even after retiring from the Air Force, Anita continued to serve others through her work with the Federal Executive Board, where she had only recently retired.
Anita will be remembered for the way she cared for people. She was giving and generous, always ready to help family, friends, or even a stranger who needed kindness. She loved the St. Louis Cardinals and brought warmth, and a steady presence to those around her.
Anita was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine Hope Bettis, her sister, Jerri Bettis, and her brother, Paul Wald.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Leach, her daughter, Stacey Leach, her son, Jason Leach, and her sister, Theresa Bettis.
Memorial donations in her honor would be appreciated to the American Red Cross, as Anita was grateful for their assistance provided to her years ago while serving abroad.
Funeral Services will be held in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest with family members at Floral Haven Cemetery, Broken Arrow, OK. Local assistance was provided by Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, IL, where one may message the family or post an online condolence.
