Leslie " Les" C. Slater, Sr.,  age 84, of Bowler, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021. Les was born on January 12, 1937 to the late Valentine and Florence (Manske) Slater in Mattoon.  He was united in marriage to Bonnie Johnson on December 2, 1961 at Church of the Wilderness. Les was a member of the graduating class of 1955 of Mattoon High School. He went on to serve this country in the United States Army.  Les worked at FWD for over 20 years. He loved working on race cars and was also a crew chief. He enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years, and was an avid Packer fan. Les loved hobbies like trout fishing and gardening.

Les is survived by: his wife, Bonnie; children Deann Slater, Denise (Ken) Fye, and Les (Hope) Slater Jr.; his grandchildren Samuel, Erin, Carly, Natalya, Hannah, and Austin; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; his siblings Valerie Palmer and Virginia Powell. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by; his parents; his siblings Keith Slater, Janice Peasley, Arleen (Lloyd) Lutzow; and his brother-in-law Pat Powell

A family graveside service for Les will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 11:00 am at Stockbridge Indian Burial Grounds.