Dorothy Willey

BOUNTIFUL Dorothy Leola Ryan Willey, our beloved mother, grandmother and friend, returned home on Friday, November 18, 2011. Dorothy was born July 15, 1917 in Ogden, Utah, a daughter of William Henry and Luella Hancock Ryan. She married her sweetheart Walter Wilson Willey on July 10, 1941. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on July 10, 1963. They had two children, Kelly and Elizabeth. Dorothy was educated in the Weber County Schools, graduating from Ogden High School in 1936, where she played tennis and was a member of the Ex-Libris Club, a scholastic club that studied Utah literature. Her love for books and learning continued her entire life. Dorothy was highly skilled in both shorthand and typing, which were coveted skills during the Great Depression. Upon graduating from high school, Dorothy gave up her dreams for further education and immediately began working to support her parents and younger siblings. After Dorothy married her sweetheart Walter, he instantly adopted and cared for her family. Her mother lived with them until her death in 1963. Dorothy was employed through the Work Progress Administration (WPA), Small Arms Plant, 9th Service Command and Fort Hood, as she followed Walter through his enlistment in the Army during World War II. Her most cherished employments were for the Pullman Company and later Southern Pacific Railroad where she worked for 22 years, retiring in 1980. Dorothy dedicated her life to the service and care of others. She loved her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ and emulated their attributes of love, charity, and empathy throughout her life. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having a strong testimony of the gospel and served in many positions. Her most valued callings were as a Primary teacher and as the ward and stake librarian. Dorothy loved gardening and the natural beauties of the earth. She learned the value of hard work and perseverance as a child from her parents, and in turn taught these principles to her family. During her lifetime, Dorothy served her community in various capacities. She was President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Bountiful unit, and through that position began her more than 40 years of service in placing hundreds of crosses for deceased servicemen and women in the Bountiful City Cemetery every Memorial Day. After she retired, Dorothy took up the cause of senior citizens, serving on the Board of Directors of the Senior Legislature of the AARP, working tirelessly to get bills passed that positively affected senior citizens. She served as the President of 8 & 40; officer of the local AARP Chapter, spent many summers working with children at the Cystic Fibrosis Camp, member of the Daughter of the Utah Pioneers, member of the Dancing Grannies who she tapped danced with for 17 years, counselor at Girls State, Nutrition Committee with the Davis County Council of Aging, volunteer at the Golden Years Senior Citizen Center, member of the Bereavement Group at the Golden Years Center, volunteer at Bountiful Elementary where she taught children to read, and was active in the Davis County Democratic Party. Dorothy was actively involved in the 4-H program, teaching both neighbor girls and transporting disadvantage girls from Salt Lake City to her home in Bountiful where she not only taught them cooking skills, but introduced them to culture, education and inspiring them to be the best they could be. Her home and backyard were always filled with children, and she loved each of them individually being affectionately called Grandma Willey. She served in all of these positions with her partner in service Walter, her husband. Dorothy received numerous awards during her lifetime for her dedicated service to others, among them: Outstanding Couple from the Sons of the Utah Pioneers; Certificate of Appreciation from the American Legion Auxiliary; Citation for Meritorious Service from The American Legion; and, numerous certificates of Appreciation. Dorothy is preceded in death by her sweetheart Walter, her parents, sister and brother. She will be greatly missed by her children, Kelly (Pam) Willey and Elizabeth (Dale) Vranes, Bountiful, Utah; grandchildren: Jeff (Erin) Willey, Kara (Tim) Brezoff, Alyson (Nick) Gilson, Kristen (Shane) Williams, Samantha Vranes, Sarah Vranes, Scott (Jennifer) Vranes, Tyler (Melinda) Vranes, 12 great grandchildren, and numerous individuals who loved her and called her Grandma. Dorothy will mostly be remembered by her family for her loving, gentle and kind spirit, her dedication as a wife, mother and grandmother, and her legacy of dedication to the welfare of others. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Bountiful 36th Ward Chapel, 100 East 1400 South in Bountiful, Utah. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and again Wednesday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.