Paul Leroy Weller

Paul Leroy Weller

1919 ~2013

Paul Leroy Weller was born November 19, 1919, in Blue Springs, Nebraska. He died July 8, 2013, at the age of 93. The extended family of George Quincy Durban, which included Robert and Shirley Weller, Paul's parents, moved west from Nebraska by rail and settled in Edmonds where George Durban bought a retail store in 1924.

Paul graduated from Edmonds High School in 1937 and then attended University of Washington and Washington State University before enlisting in The U.S. Navy. After riding his Indian motorcycle to California along Highway 99, Paul reported for duty and served his country until the end of World War II.

Upon Paul's return to Edmonds after the war, his grandfather, George Durban, retired and sold the men's department to Paul and the women's department Paul's mother, Shirley. The now two separate stores were called Weller's Men's and Boys Store and Shirley's Dress Shop. Paul was a member of the Lyons club and Chamber of Commerce and loved to help put up the annual Christmas decorations.

Paul ran the store on his own until in 1948 when after a six month romance he married Ruth A. Erickson, who was from Everett. Ruth brought business expertise, discipline, and efficiency to Weller's Men's Shop. Paul had a wonderful and friendly personality and enjoyed working with the customers. He also had an eye for style and together him and Ruth made a great team. In 1969 Paul and Ruth sold the business and Paul retired to pursue golf on a full time basis.

In the winter of 1963, Paul & Ruth bought an old lake house on three acres at Flowing Lake in Snohomish, and the summer schedule for the next 35 years was set with many weeks spent each summer swimming, water skiing, and, one of Paul's favorite activities, exploring old logging roads in the search for blackberries. As a result, the family always had home made blackberry jam and an occasional fresh blackberry pie (Paul's favorite). One of Paul's favorite summer activities after a hard day of golf was to give a holler from the front porch of the cabin and run down the sidewalk and leap off the dock into the water. He would then float on his back with his toes in the air and serenade all within the sound of his voice.

Paul taught his children the benefits of hard work and play. He knew how to have fun and passed it on to his descendants. He is survived by his three children, Lynn, Mark, and Vicki, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at Arnie's Restaurant, Edmonds, Oct. 3rd at 2 pm. Contact: Mark Weller 360-344-2054.