Drexel E. Wiley

Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Friend. “He will be in our Hearts forever” Drexel was born on April 10, 1929 to Dale and Ethel (McClurg) Wiley in Pickering, MO. Drexel was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Hershel from Everson and Edward Dale “E.D.” Wiley from Marysville, MO and his sister Wilma Toler from Soap Lake. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, his daughters, Diane Beck of Lynnwood, Denise Hemmat and husband Bruce of Franklin Lakes, NJ and his 5 grandchildren: Joshua and Nickolas Brady; Lucy, Issac and Gracie Hemmat. He is also survived by his sister Coleen Burson and her husband Orlando, and his sister-in-law Jeanne Bostock of Lacy and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins Drexel shared a wonderful and loving life with Dorothy (Myers) for 62 years. Drexel loved his family and his friends and spending time with them. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and cruising on their boat in the Puget Sound, Washington and Canadian San Juan Islands. During the cruising years they were a member of the Carvier Cruisers Boat Club. Drexel was born in Pickering MO and lived on and help work the family farm until they moved to the Sumas WA in 1937. They lived in Sumas until 1940 when his father moved the family to Gerber CA, where he got a job managing a large dairy farm. The family moved back to Marysville MO in 1942 and back to Appaloosa horse farm on Squalicum Lake Road in 1945. Drexel graduated from Mt Baker High school in 1947. In 1948 at a Lutheran League bonfire at Birch Bay he met Dorothy; she was still in high school at the time. In 1951 Dorothy’s picture was in the paper and he saw it and thought to himself “I know her”. He then decided to call her and ask her out. She turned out to be the love of his life and they got married on March 1 1952. Drexel served in the Naval Reserves from 1949-1957. They moved to Ephrata in 1952 and he worked for both House Laundry and NW Breeder Associates. In 1955 he tried his hand at farming in Sumas. In 1956 their daughter Diane was born and Drexel decided milking 40 cows was not how he wanted to spend the rest of his life. In 1957 they moved to Lynnwood and in 1958 they move to Seattle. In 1959 his daughter Denise arrived. In 1962 they moved to Lake Forest Park where they lived and played until 2004. They then decided to move back to Ferndale on the property where Dorothy lived as a teen, with a view of Mt Baker. Drexel was employed as a commercial laundry supply salesman and driver and a part time Seattle Metro Bus Driver and a member of the Teamsters Local #117 for 42 years. The family would like to thank the staff at Christian Health Care Center of Lynden for their love and wonderful care of Drexel during his stay with them and the love and support from their friends at Christ Lutheran Church. Memorial may be made in Drexel name to: Christ Lutheran Church, 5904 Vista Drive, P.O. Box 845 Ferndale, WA 98248 A memorial service will be on Saturday, November 1 at 1 pm at Christ Lutheran Church.

Drexel E. Wiley

April 10, 1929 - October 24, 2014