Bill Jolley Dies in Oregon; Former Sitkan was Age 85
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- Created on Friday, 20 October 2023 15:31
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William (Bill) Ernest Jolley
William (Bill) Ernest Jolley, a former Sitka resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon, on Oct. 13, 2023. He was 85.
Bill was a cherished and respected man in his community, who was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He was born in Hoquiam, Washington, Aug. 1, 1938, to Walter and Wilma Jolley, the second oldest of seven children.
He graduated from Hoquiam High School then started his career in sheet metal with his father, in California.
Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961 and served to 1963, stationed in Fairbanks. He next went to work for Olson Plumbing, Heating & Sheet Metal in Petersburg, and was there until the owners were bought out by his very good friend Frank Vilandre. After that he worked for Frank’s Plumbing, Heating, & Sheet Metal in Sitka for many years until he retired in 2000.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge for more than 40 years and active in many community events they hosted. After he retired, he rebuilt the boat Nelly Brown from the engine up and enjoyed fishing and his life in Alaska with his wife Iola.
He and Iola moved to Bend, Oregon, in 2010 to be near his three children and five grandchildren, and where he changed his hobby of fishing to small time farming, growing tomatoes and other vegetables and became a master lawn mower.
He is remembered as a gentle, kind, intelligent man who never made an enemy and never met dog he didn’t like.
Bill was preceded in death by his siblings Sharon Blanten, Richard Jolley and Suzzanne Owen and his parents Walter and Wilma Jolley.
Bill is survived by his wife Iola; his children Cynthia Stidd, Lynelle Buehner, and Gregory Jolley; his five grandchildren, Karmen Buehner, Zach Buehner, Brittany Stidd, Liam Stidd and Addison Stidd; his sister Virginia Friedman; his brothers Doug and Don Jolley; and several nieces and nephews.
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Whale expert Jan Straley and biologists from Sitka Tribe of Alaska and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be featured on a cruise sponsored by Sitka Whalefest this weekend.
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