Leon Edwards

Leon Wyman Edwards (born May 24, 1931 in Birmingham; died January 16, 2021 in Birmingham) was owner of Edwards Chevrolet from 1962 until his death.

Edwards grew up in Birmingham and lettered in four sports at Ramsay High School. He enrolled at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia but completed his business degree at the University of Alabama. After that he served for two years in the U.S. Air Force before joining his father's dealership in the mid 1950s. He assumed the role of president in 1962 and spent the remainder of his 58-year career in that position. His son, Lee Edwards, took over management of the dealerships in the 2000s.

Edwards served three terms as president of the Birmingham Automobile Dealers Association, which honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and one as president of the National Automobile Dealers Association in 1995. Edwards also served on the board of directors of Regions Bank and as president of the Birmingham Business Bureau.

In retirement, Edwards competed in numerous deep-sea fishing tournaments and was active in promoting the sport.

References

• Williams, Roy L. (November 9, 2011) "Edwards Chevrolet in Birmingham nearly as old as the automaker itself." The Birmingham News
• Thornton, William (January 18, 2021) "Leon Edwards, owner of Birmingham’s Edwards Chevrolet, dead at 89." The Birmingham News