Wilbur Franklin Headley's Obituary
Wilbur F. Headley Born August 29, 1918 in Edmonds, WA to Flossie and Ross Headley, Wilbur passed away June 15, 2010, at Manor Care in Tacoma. A graduate of Lincoln High School, he spent most of his life in Tacoma. As a young man, he worked in the CCC's until moving to Alaska where he was drafted into the Army during WWII. After his service he returned home and in 1946 married the love of his life, Betty Hansen. They raised five sons, four of whom tragically lost their lives in a Tacoma house fire in 1959. Wilbur began a career with Tacoma Railway and Power Co. in 1947 as a vehicle maintenance man, worked through the period when employees bought the company, then helped solicit citizens to pass the first transit tax measure allowing the city to purchase what became Tacoma Transit, the forerunner of the current Pierce Transit. He was a beloved member of the Headley/ Upton family with a friendly disposition, a sense of humor and a ready smile. Wilbur always had a song in his heart and a fine voice to sing it. Betty passed away in 1988 after 42 years of marriage. Also preceding him in death were his parents; sons, David, Danny, Randy, and Ricky; brothers, Dwight, Rannel, and Wayne Headley; Gene and Glen Upton, and sister, Lela Skorupski. Surviving family members include son, Terry (Angie), sister, Lois Winchester and brother, Ken Upton (Bridget), 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and "Kiddo", his cat. A memorial service will be held in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View, Friday, June 25, 2010 at 2 PM. Donations may be made to the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society.
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