William W. Ashley

William W. Ashley We remember fondly Dr. William Ashley, who passed on August 6th of this year after a long battle with cancer. He was 85. Dr. Ashley was born in San Francisco. He attended the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey and graduated from Princeton University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. Dr. Ashley served aboard ship in the Navy for two years during World War II. Following the war, Dr. Ashley returned to San Francisco to establish his practice in internal medicine where he served on the staff of Southern Pacific Hospital and Children's Hospital. In 1965, Dr. Ashley moved his medical practice to Eureka, California where he served on the staff of General Hospital and on staff and as chief of staff of St. Joseph's Hospital. Dr. Ashley was a member of numerous professional societies and of the Bohemian Club and Ingomar Club. He loved family, his patients, the practice of medicine, carpentry, horseback riding and the mountains of California. He is survived by his wife, Anne Cleary Ashley; his children, Katherine Cobb, Joan Tallman, Hugh Ashley, Whitley Ashley, Phoebe Ashley and Elizabeth Ashley; and grandchildren, Elizabeth Cobb, Allison Tallman, Victoria Tallman, Jameson Ashley, Dillon Ashley and Aidan Menen who find him always in their thoughts: DAD Well hello, here you are again, In my thoughts upon rising, As you were at the last day's end. It's nothing unique, of course, That you should consume my thoughts, For decades, it was only yours, The admiration that I sought. Every now and again, I think it's your voice I hear, Then the thought is belied, By a one-eyed stealthy tear - By the choke in my throat, And the weight on my chest I realize you've gone - You're finally at rest. But I take strength these days, From the stories you told, Of our 3 a.m. walks, When I was just days old - Of building together in the wind, wet and cold, Of packing on horseback in those mountains of gold, And yes, the times when you tried, but couldn't quite scold. Summers on the water; Winters in the snow, With you in the lead, We all wanted to go. I want to thank you for making, My childhood dreams all come true. Ever fondly I'll recall, The grand things we used to do. I sit here now as I often do, Admiring your favorite pair of well-worn shoes, Your "ISeer" cap and homemade cane, Wishing I could just sit and laugh with you again. Those shoes, I know, Will never be filled, But, I'll try, through your lessons, Lovingly instilled. From my beginning, To your end, Steadfastly you remained, My best friend. Love and safe passage to you, Until we meet again.