BEULAH ELIZABETH "BOOTS WALTON" WILEY

1912 - 2010

Boots was born in the home of her parents Ephram (Pappy) and Suzie Elizabeth Walton (Brush) on North Fifth Street in the town she held so dear - East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Now her brother, Harry Ephram, had a new sister. Two years later they had another sister, Beatrice Walton (Dykeman). Ten years later they were so pleased to have a baby brother Robert Metcalf Walton.

While Boots and her sister were riding the bus home from school, they saw Howard Brown Wiley walking on the sidewalk. Boots said to her sister, "See that handsome boy?? I'm going to marry him some day." Of course she did, many years later. They married in 1941 after Howard graduated with a B.S. from the University of Texas, College of Mines and Metallurgy.

Boots graduated from East Stroudsburg High School as a member of the National Honor Society in June 1931, as did her Mother in 1908. She loved everything the countryside of Pennsylvania had to offer - the Pocono Mountains, skiing, fishing, hunting, ice sailing, swimming, and her most cherished family and friends.

All of her life Boots played "smokin" piano. In fact she and Howard played music and sang the night away the first night of their courtship. Her father finally had to go downstairs and shoo Howard home. They loved to dance and cut a mean rug to the big bands. Music was always a big part of their lives.

Howard's career took them to Burbank, CA, where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft as a Professional Metallurgal Research Engineer. During WWII Boots worked as a "Girl Friday" in a Burbank factory making landing instruments for the war effort. After the war they moved to Northridge, CA, where they raised their only child, Suzie. Boots made a loving and beautiful home for her family. She was a gardener, decorator, and seamstress extraordinaire. There was always fresh laundry on the clothes line blowing in the warm California air.

Boots and Howard retired in the late 1960s, and moved to San Juan Island in Washington State. They continued their love of boating, sports fishing, and making friends. They loved every moment of island life! After Howard passed, Boots spent her last twenty-two years on Pleasant Ridge near LaConner next-door to her daughter, Suzie.

All five feet of Boots was packed with character and exuberance. Most important, she was innately happy. She was glad to be alive......all of her 98 years. She would start every day by saying, "Top of the morning to ya" and we would respond, "and the rest of the day to you!!"

Boots was preceded in death by her dear husband, Howard; her mother, Suzie Walton; her farther, Pappy Walton, at 101 years old; her brother, Harry of Miami Springs, Florida; her little brother, Bobby as a young man in the Philippians WWII, and; recently her sister, Beaty of Neptune City, New Jersey.

Boots leaves her daughter, Suzie Elizabeth Racanello of Pleasant Ridge; her granddaughter, Season Elizabeth Rudig, and her great-grandchildren, Robert Devon Silk, Corbin Riley Silk, and Jenna Rose Rudig of La Conner. She also leaves many nieces, nephews, and friends whom she cherished.

At her request there will be no public services. You may offer your condolences to Boots family online at www.kernfunerallhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.