Arthur Anthony "Bill" Leardi, Sr.SHREVEPORT, LA - A memorial service celebrating the life of Arthur Leardi will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 10:00 am, in the chapel of Montclair Park Assisted Living on East Kings Highway in Shreveport. Arthur passed away on February 8, 2017 at the age of 102. He was born on May 28, 1914 in Paterson, NJ.Arthur entered the workforce at an early age holding various positions, including a 25 year career in the aerospace industry with the Singer Company-Kearfott Division, repairing and calibrating aerospace equipment on a variety of missile systems.At an early age, he developed a keen interest in weightlifting. He holds two American National AAU Weightlifting records and was the US Senior National Weightlifting Champion in 1938 and 1939. . He appeared on the cover of the November 1939 issue of Strength and Health Magazine, in which he was described as "one of the finest built and most powerful little men in the world".For over 10 years he was a professional hand balancer, performing in vaudeville-style variety shows. While performing in the American Jamboree Show he met and married the love of this life, Betty Mae Weidman, a marriage that spanned over 75 years. Arthur enlisted in the US Army in 1942, attaining the rank of SGT. His Military Occupational Specialty was Athletic Instructor. He was honorably discharged in 1945.He is survived by his wife Betty of Shreveport, LA, his daughters Margaret Maly of Kinnelon, NJ and Diane (Leonard) Mastrodomenico of Shreveport, LA, and son Arthur Leardi, Jr of Bernardsville, NJ. He was known as Pop Pop to 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children.The family would like to thank Alan Borne, MD, Hospice of Shreveport-Bossier, Julie Edwards, and the entire staff of Montclair Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Center, whom we consider our family, for their care and unconditional love. All thanks and praise to God for blessing us with your child, Arthur, for 102 years. In lieu of flowers and donations, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness in his honor, and treat all humankind with love and respect.