Leon Waller
Passed away on April 6, 2024
Leon Waller II (Jay-R) was a man whose life was filled with laughter, a testament to his vibrant spirit. But above all, his heart was devoted to his family, a love that was the cornerstone of his existence.
Jay-R was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 4, 1976. His parents were Leon and Verna Waller. He was one of two children born from this union: a twin sister, Michelle Lynn.
Leon attended Emmanuel Christian School and Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he was baptized at age five. He attended various high schools in Chicago, Bogan, and Julian, where he played football. After high school, he worked at the Stock Exchange. He was a wiz with numbers. After leaving the Stock Exchange, he worked a variety of jobs until his mother became ill, and he took care of her until she died in 2002. Leon attended junior college studying Mathematics. He worked at various banks. He later became a bartender, worked at Leo’s Den, Buckwheats, 3-G’s, and managed The Filling Station and Celebrity.
Leon was a mom’s boy and loved his mother. He had a massive hole in his heart until he met this beautiful young lady, Jill Raycraft. They dated for three years and were married on August 25, 2012. This union joined LJ, Allyssa, Destyni, and Cameron together as a family and blessed them with three more beautiful boys: Gregory, Elliott, and Harrison.
In 2016, Jr left bartending to care for his father, Leon Waller Sr, until he died in 2020. Later that year, he found out he had stage 3 colon cancer. Despite his illness, he continued to care for his family, caring for his wife and children, his Grandmother Vivan Rowland, and Grandfather James Rowland.
Jr. loved to cook, drink, and have a good time, whether playing darts with his friends, hanging with his best friend Kito, or playing video games with his sons. He was the life of the party. Jr would do anything for h family; he loved being the fun uncle and would gather all his little cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with his own, and take them to Santa's Village or have a fun weekend. He loved being with his wife and set aside Friday as their day. He enjoyed going to St.Louis or family vacations, being with his in-laws, and having a great time.
Jay-R departed this earth on April 6, 2024, at 48. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Waller Sr. and Verna Waller, and grandparents.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Jill Waller, seven children Leon Waller III, Allyssa Myhija Waller, Destyni Corine Gipson, Cameron Devon Chandler, Gregory Vernon Waller, Elliott Lester Waller, and Harrison Alan Waller, his twin sister Michelle (Clemente) Edwards, his mother-in-law Chris (Alan) Montrey, his sister-in-law Tina (Jim) Bailey, his brothers-in-law Adam (Isabel) Raycraft and Ryan (Anne) Raycraft, His best friend Kito Lester and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.