Richard L Willey

Richard LaVerne Willey died July 17, 2023 at Syringa hospital in Grangeville, Idaho. He was born to Georga and Vernon Willey on August 27, 1935, in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.

He was educated in Grangeville schools 1st grade through 12, graduating in 1953. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1958, followed by a Master's degree.

He married Judy Dahler on September 23, 1956. They have three children, Ted of Walla Walla, WA, Tonja of Wilsonville, OR, and Toby of Bend, OR. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Kjel, Josi, and Camryn.

In 1954 Rich enlisted in the Idaho National Guard. As a member of the National Guard his unit was called to active duty at Fort Lewis, WA during the Berlin Crisis.

Rich started teaching and coaching in 1959 at Grangeville High School. In 1971 he bought Vern’s Grocery from his parents. He was a lifetime member, and past president, of the Grangeville Golf Course. He was an avid trap shooter, member, and past president of the Grangeville Gun Club.

In 1984 he moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he worked in construction. Later he and Judy moved to Portland, OR where he continued working in large construction until he retired in 2001. Soon after they moved back to his beloved Grangeville, ID where he had always cherished the outdoors, fishing and golfing and all that Idaho has to offer.

Rich was a member and wore many hats at the Grangeville SDA church, serving on the church board, co-treasurer, head deacon, and greeter.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Bruce, his brother Robin who died in the Vietnam war, and a sister Peggy Willey Branson. 

He is survived by his loving wife Judy, sister Mary Ellen Willey Cash, sister Lynda Willey Madden, son Ted, daughter Tonja, son Toby, and grandchildren Kjel and Camryn Pettinger Willey, and Josiphine Willey.

A Joyful Remembrance of Rich will be held Sunday, August 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville followed by a reception gathering at the Grangeville Country Club. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com.

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