Willie Whaley

Willie Marshall Whaley “Willie Fuzz” was born on January 4, 1942, in Sevierville, TN, to Austin H. Whaley and Melia “Blanche" (Loveday) Whaley. Willie went to be with the Lord JESUS CHRIST on December 8th, 2023. In 1957, the family packed their bags and headed west to find work in the Evergreen State. They settled in Peshastin where Willie attended Peshastin-Dryden high school. After graduating, he worked at Ford Garage in Leavenworth, Peshastin Fruit Growers and then at Peshastin Lumber and Box. He also worked cutting timber for Mountain Tree Farm in Redmond, WA with his dad, his uncle Earl and oldest brother Herb. He also worked for two years at Alcoa. Willie enlisted in the Army in 1960, stationed at both Orléans, France and in Kieser Slaughter, Germany, being assigned to the 27th Transportation Company. His commanding officer Colonel Jon E. Murray had this to say about him “To Willie the Wonder; Crack Shot, Crack Driver and without a Crack in his Soldiery Armor.” After returning home from being honorably discharged in 1966, Willie went back to work at Peshastin Fruit Growers where he found the love of his life. He married Tennye and got the daughter (Tara) he had always dreamed of having on July 1, 1972. In 1974, after having moved to Monitor, a son (Dale) would be added to the family. In 1976, the family moved to East Wenatchee where Willie has called home ever since. After moving to East Wenatchee, he worked for Wells & Wade Hardware, delivering freight from Wenatchee to the Canadian border and many places in between. His rheumatoid arthritis forced his early retirement in 1989. Willie loved the many dogs that he had throughout his life. He also had a passion for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting gamebirds down in the basin with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law, fishing for trout, cutting firewood with his dad up the Icicle, and teaching his children how to appreciate the great outdoors. There probably hasn’t been an animal show on TV that Willie hasn’t seen; Marlin Perkins and David Attenborough were some of his favorite narrators. Later, he learned to enjoy bass fishing and growing tomatoes and hot peppers in his garden. A good book was also a delight. One of his favorite authors was Louis L’Amour. Later in life, Willie enjoyed sitting out in his backyard, sipping on a cold beer, watching the hummingbirds or many of the other songbirds that would come to feeders he readily kept full. Spending time with his grandchildren was always a top priority for him. He is survived by his daughter, Tara Whaley, and her children, Taylor Whaley and Morgan Leonard; his son, Dale (Charity) Whaley, and their child, Rebecca. Also, surviving is his brother Ralph; sister Trisha (Hiatt); and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both his parents, Austin and Blanche, an infant sister, Jo Anne and brother Herb Whaley. The family wishes to express appreciation to the Hospice nurses who provided care up until his passing. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the spring/early summer. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA

Willie Whaley

January 4, 1942 - December 8, 2023