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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20 YEARS AGO
October 2004
Photo caption: Historian Bob DeArmond sits next to a July 4, 1913, photograph of Alaska Territorial Gov. John F.A. Strong at the dedication of the Pioneers Home. DeArmond, who attended the 1913 ceremony, will give a talk on the Pioneers Home Saturday.
50 YEARS AGO
October 1974
Andrew John Hope III, 24, has been selected as one of three Alaskans named as Outstanding Young Men in America for 1974. Hope, the son of Mrs. Christine Littlefield of Sitka and John Hope of Juneau, was graduated from Sitka High in 1967. ... He is presently attending Sheldon Jackson College.
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