EAST GREENBUSH, NY – Eunice I. “Billy” Leadbetter, 94, passed away Friday, April 16, at Evergreen Commons Health Facility after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Andover, Dec. 28, 1909, daughter of Manford and Lizzie Holley. She lived there until her marriage to the late Charles “Charlie” Leadbetter in 1933. Most of their married life was spent in North Livermore, where, after their children were grown, they started to raise beagle dogs.

All the beagling community soon knew their beagles and they established their trademark Round Pond Kennels that produced many field champions. The Leadbetters discontinued their attendance at the field trials in the late 70s after Charlie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After Charlie’s death, she spent her summers in North Livermore and her winters with her daughter and son-in-law in Rensselaer, N.Y., until 8 years ago when she was no longer able to go to Maine.

She had been a resident of the Capital Region since then. She was a homemaker and was a life member of the Maine Beagle Club, Androscoggin Valley Beagle Club, Vermont Beagle Club and Fundy Beagle Club of St. John, Neb.

She is survived by daughter, Nancy L. Small and husband, Jerry of Rensselaer, N.Y.; son, Charles F. (Chuck) and wife, Shirley Leadbetter of Gulfport, Fla. and Livermore; five grandchildren, Nancy (Kenneth) Salmon of Whitefish Bay, Wis., Karen Small of Brooklyn, N.Y., Sheri (John) Alberti of Schodack Landing, Charles (Chuck) Leadbetter of Holden, and Kirk (Samantha) Leadbetter of North Livermore; nine great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rachel White and husband, Shelton; brother-in-law, George Leadbetter and wife, Elaine and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles W. Leadbetter; sister, Wyonna Small and Wyonna’s daughter Donna Small.