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BORN
1941
DIED
2020
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Paul Wiley Obituary
In Loving Memory
October 4, 1941 - February 23, 2020
Paul Richard Wiley "Wiley" died at home on Sunday February 23, 2020, in Ketchum Idaho. His loving wife Fran was with him.
Wiley grew up in Seattle, and attended Franklin H.S. He was the founder, and heart and soul of Wiley's Water Skis - a Seattle institution since 1965. As one of the first water ski manufacturers, he helped to make Seattle a thriving center of hand-crafted skis.
Wiley was a passionate snow skier, enjoyed singing and yodeling, and had a wealth of inappropriate jokes.
In his early years he was a ski instructor at Steven's Pass with Audett Ski School, where he made life-long friends in the Skykomish ski community. Later he bought a home in Ketchum, where he skied Baldy Mountain every winter.
In summers, Wiley could be seen driving around Seattle in his '68 Cadillac Convertible, often with his beloved granddaughter Quinn, who even had the honor of driving it! He also spent time several months a year thawing out in Kihei on Maui.
Wiley will be missed. He was a wonderful, stubborn, ridiculously funny, and generous man!
He is survived by his wife Fran, son Darren (Kristin), granddaughter Quinn, and brother Roger. He was preceded in death by his son Brian.
Join family and friends for a Celebration of Life at The Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle
Thurs., March 12 from 4pm - 7pm.
9131 California Ave SW
Seattle 98136
Wiley's family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
Please visit the memorial page for Wiley at woodriverchapel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Wiley
Sponsored by The Family.
February 20, 2021
My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories and Gods promise to return our loved ones . 1st Thessalonians 4 : 13 & 14 .
Sarah Butler
April 13, 2020
You were so amazing I miss your amazing calls and jokes . You always brought me so much laughter. You touched my heart so much .
March 18, 2020
Sorry for your loss, I really enjoyed his inappropriate jokes.
Ron Hoffman
March 12, 2020
Bob Kinsella, Steve Kirkpatrick, and Bob Michajla could not attend the memorial today as/pandemic protocol. Sorry, and RIP Paul
Tom/Ana Larson
March 10, 2020
Paul, I miss you already. Who am I going to moan and groan too about life in general. I remember skiing with you under the 7th. Heaven chairlift at Stevens in the 60s and drinking beer at Sweetpeas in Skykomish at the end of the ski day.....Slush Cup at Mt. Baker. Eating large slabs of prime rib and drinking bottles of red wine at the Pioneer in Ketchum and skiing 55,000+ vertical in a day on Baldy when we were younger. Listening to your bad jokes and you filling me in on the World according to Wiley.
Im sad......
Bob Michajla
March 8, 2020
We'll all miss you Paul, in Sky and in Sun Valley.
March 8, 2020
It is strange what one small kindness can do for a child. I believe Paul is the same Paul Wiley in by big brothers cub Scout den. My mother was den mother and this very nice older boy put aside all embaassment in front of the other guys and let this 4 or 5 year old kid sister hold his hand and walk him to the door when he left. I have always remembered that kindness. Perhaps it made me a bit kinder and more tolerant later in my career.
Jim and Midge Patten
March 4, 2020
Paul, you will certainly be missed by my family. Starting in 1975 we spent a lot of time down at your shop in Georgetown. Still have some old Wiley slalom skis in our family. Knew you forever. Starting in John Muir, and going to Sharples, and graduating from Franklin. Happy Trails our friend.
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