Wiley Jones Lacy Jr.

Wiley Jones Lacy Jr.

Wiley Jones Lacy Jr. passed away August 18, 2006, at the age of 78 at his home in Fortuna, California. He was born August 7, 1928, in Mount Pieler, Idaho, and came to California in 1941. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley Jones Lacy Sr. and Jennie Ranghild (Strandberg) Lacy. Wiley was also preceded in death by the love of his life, Claire Ellen (Walker) Lacy. Wiley and Claire were married, March 18, 1951. Wiley was a member of numerous organizations. He served on The Scotia Elementary School Board for a number of years; he was a member of Kiwanis, a 4-H Horse Club leader, and he was proud to serve as a director on the Humboldt County Fair Board.

He is survived by his only brother, Vernon Lamar Lacy of Sacramento and four nieces. He leaves behind three daughters, Susan Levitt and husband Greg, Cheryl Cudney and husband Ron, and Lisa Thysell and husband Todd. Wiley is also survived by nine grandchildren and their families: Stanwood "Toppy" Murphy, Patrick Murphy and his wife Jacquelyn, Teanne Duval and Michael Cain, Travis Duval and Leia Schultz, Christopher Cudney, Kaitlin Cudney, Ashley Calkins, Callie and Robert Thysell and four great grandchildren. Many of his friends have gone before him and the ones that are still here are left to our care.

Wiley was employed by the Pacific Lumber Co. for over 40 years and was the Timber and Property Tax Manager. Wiley was also instrumental in having a bill written and passed by the California State Legislature regarding the Yield Tax on Timber. One of his proudest moments was saving Pacific Lumber over a million dollars in timber taxes,

Wiley spent a great deal of his life on the Walker homestead, Sunset View Ranch in Petrolia and enjoyed the Ranch life and wrangling with the cattle. He also enjoyed hunting, bowling and golf.

He was a devoted Mason for over 50 years and a member of the Free & Accepted Masons’ of California Lodge No. 193 Ferndale. Wiley was a member of the York Rite Bodies, Scottish Rite Club, Valley of Oakland and Aahmes Redwood Shrine Club.

He proudly followed his ancestors which have been affiliated with the Masons as far back as the 1700’s. His family was established in Madison County Tennessee in the 1830’s and they were from Pitt, Hyde and Greene Counties of NC prior to that. Wiley held as his hero’s Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. He served four years in the United States Navy and was involved with a large number of the nuclear bomb tests during the Second World War. He was a devoted and loving father and husband and practical joker.

The family wishes to thank Dr’s Olkin and Jones of Fortuna, Dr. Uma Suryadevara and Elizabeth Mohorovich and his Hospice nurse Erica Hovnanian, for their kindness and care. We also extend our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Toppy Murphy and Sandy Chase for their loving and tender care of Wiley.

Memorial services will be held at 2 PM on Friday, August 25th at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna, California. Friends are invited to Wiley’s home at 1941 Scenic Drive in Fortuna after the services.

Wiley loved children. Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children 1-800-237-5055 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 1-800-822-6344.

Arrangements under the direction of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, CA.

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