Dale E. Willey

Eula “Dutch and Dale E. Willey were the epitome of team, working together toward a common goal. They shared many wonderful qualities and built a loving home, utilizing their individual talents to create a loving and welcoming place for their family and friends. They were accepting and warm, knowing how to make others feel comfortable and valued.

1912 was a quieter, more relaxed time in American history: there were no televisions, automobiles were a rarity and families tended to sit down to meals together. Dale Willey was born at home in Prospect, Ohio, on July 17, 1912, to Charles and Frankie Mae (Jones) Willey. As a child, Dale attended the area schools, and like many young boys of the time, spent much of his leisure time fishing in the Sciota River, a favorite pastime he pursued throughout his life. While Dale’s family was adjusting to his arrival, Verne and Alice (Warren) Mitchell of Delaware, Ohio, were expecting a baby of their own, and on March 29, 1913, their daughter, Eula, was born at home surrounded by her family.

Dale and Eula grew up just across the Sciota River from each other, but attended the same schools. It was in grade school that the two found puppy love and remained sweethearts throughout their academic careers. They both graduated from Radnor High School (though a year apart), where Dale played football. A few years after graduating, Dale and Eula bound their hearts together forever as husband and wife in a beautiful ceremony in the Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Delaware, Ohio on June 3, 1934. The couple remained lifelong members at Old Stone Presbyterian Church, even after they moved from the area. Over the next few years, they were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Carolyn and Mary Alice.

Dale was a man of many skills and trades. During the time of the Depression, he bought a school bus and worked as a driver, taking the kids to school, while also carrying a milk route. Some time later, he went into sandblasting and started a commercial bridge and building restoration business. In the mid 1950s, Dale, Eula and the girls left Delaware and headed north of Sandusky, Ohio to Middle Bass Island in the western half of Lake Erie. Here, Dale started a fishing resort, where he guided both in the summer and winter. Best of all, he could fish any time he wanted. By 1966, the family had settled in Paw Paw, Michigan, where Dale farmed asparagus, but later moved to Lawton to farm grapes. He retired from farming in 1977.

No matter what business her husband was into, Eula was always his faithful partner. From doing the paperwork for the sandblasting business to cooking for the guests at the fishing resort and being a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, Eula’s passion was to support her family.

Beginning in 1987, Dale and Eula began spending half the year having fun in the sun in Silver Springs, Florida. Being retired, Dale spent more time on his hobbies, including restoring old Model A cars, gardening, collecting coins, being a beekeeper and grafting his fruit trees to grow even bigger lemons, grapefruits and oranges. His yard was basically one big beautiful orchard. As a jack-of-all trades, Dale could fix just about anything, and even had a sign outside the house his friends posted saying, “Grandpa’s Fix It Shop.”

While these hobbies kept Dale busy, Eula delved into some of her own hobbies, like re-caning and recovering damaged chairs and making baskets from pine needles. She was also an excellent seamstress and could make clothes without even following a pattern. By far, Dale loved that she was a great cook, a master even, and they enjoyed many great meals together, perhaps while watching some of their favorite big band music on Lawrence Welk.

Like two peas in a pod, Dale and Eula did everything together and were happy doing it. Eula was simple and easygoing, hence her saying “it suits us”, while Dale was a little more profound with his saying, “Wherever you go, there you are.” Nonetheless, they were a very special couple who knew there was nothing more important, rewarding or lasting in life than your children, your family and your friends. They will be dearly missed.

Eula died in Ocala, Florida on January 28, 2001, of an age related illness and was cremated.

Dale died on August 24, 2007, at Lakeview Continuing Care. Learn more about Dale, view his Life Story film and visit with his family and friends on Sunday, September 2, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler & Thompson - Paw Paw, (657-3870). Cremation will follow visitation. Combined services for Dale and Eula and interment will be held at a later date in Delaware, Ohio.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Eula “Dutch” Willey, and his daughter, Carolyn Williams, in 2005. Members of his family includes his daughter, Mary Alice Gregory of Lawton; five grandchildren: Frieda (Greg Williams) Gregory of Ft. Worth, TX, Mark (Becky) Gregory of Lawton, Bruce (Julie) Gregory of Athens, GA, Frank Williams of Dayton, OH, and Margaret (Bill) Guinco of NJ; eight great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Please visit Dale’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with his family or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Old Stone Presbyterian Church or American Heart Association.