Dean Estill Whaley of Visalia passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009.
He was born September 8, 1926 to Edward and Ethel Estill Whaley.
He was their only child and was raised on the family farm east of Tulare.
Dad had many memories of his childhood, especially those days on the farm where he remembered doing chores, including driving the team of draft horses.
He attended elementary school at the old Bliss School, a one room school house that sat on the corner of E. Bardsley and Lovers Lane.
He graduated from Tulare High School in 1944 where he met his life partner, Wanda Babb.
Mom and Dad were married in March 1947 and enjoyed 62 wonderful years together.
Shortly after High School, Dad was hired by Nielsen's Creamery where he worked as a milk route salesman for over 35 years. When Nielsen's was sold out to Knudsen, he worked in the cheese plant in Visalia until his retirement.
Dad's passion was his love of aviation.
At the young age of 17, Dad bought a Steerman bi-plane. He got a kick out of landing it in local fields to say hi to his friends or give them a ride.
During his 55 years of flying, Dad loved every plane he flew and enjoyed the friendship of his fellow aviators at the Tulare Airport.
Dad was happy simply "shooting a landing",but was especially fond of his many cross country flights, especially those to Baja, California.
Dad enjoyed the good companions, good food and a good cocktail as they watched the sun set over the ocean.
In addition to his commercial pilot's license, he attained his instrument rating as well as a multi-engine rating.
Dad served as past president of the Tulare Flying Club, and was honored to serve on the Tulare Airport Commission.
Our Dad is survived by his loving wife Wanda, of Visalia. Daughters Deborah Payton-Williams and her husband Ken of Visalia, Donna Ford and her husband Mike of Clayton, Georgia, two sons, David and his wife Kathy and Donald Whaley of Visalia.
He leaves seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Thomas Whaley and his half-sister, Margaret Whaley-Westervelt.
Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel made the arrangements.
Graveside services at Tulare District Cemetery.
Published in the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on 4/29/2009
He was born September 8, 1926 to Edward and Ethel Estill Whaley.
He was their only child and was raised on the family farm east of Tulare.
Dad had many memories of his childhood, especially those days on the farm where he remembered doing chores, including driving the team of draft horses.
He attended elementary school at the old Bliss School, a one room school house that sat on the corner of E. Bardsley and Lovers Lane.
He graduated from Tulare High School in 1944 where he met his life partner, Wanda Babb.
Mom and Dad were married in March 1947 and enjoyed 62 wonderful years together.
Shortly after High School, Dad was hired by Nielsen's Creamery where he worked as a milk route salesman for over 35 years. When Nielsen's was sold out to Knudsen, he worked in the cheese plant in Visalia until his retirement.
Dad's passion was his love of aviation.
At the young age of 17, Dad bought a Steerman bi-plane. He got a kick out of landing it in local fields to say hi to his friends or give them a ride.
During his 55 years of flying, Dad loved every plane he flew and enjoyed the friendship of his fellow aviators at the Tulare Airport.
Dad was happy simply "shooting a landing",but was especially fond of his many cross country flights, especially those to Baja, California.
Dad enjoyed the good companions, good food and a good cocktail as they watched the sun set over the ocean.
In addition to his commercial pilot's license, he attained his instrument rating as well as a multi-engine rating.
Dad served as past president of the Tulare Flying Club, and was honored to serve on the Tulare Airport Commission.
Our Dad is survived by his loving wife Wanda, of Visalia. Daughters Deborah Payton-Williams and her husband Ken of Visalia, Donna Ford and her husband Mike of Clayton, Georgia, two sons, David and his wife Kathy and Donald Whaley of Visalia.
He leaves seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Thomas Whaley and his half-sister, Margaret Whaley-Westervelt.
Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel made the arrangements.
Graveside services at Tulare District Cemetery.
Published in the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on 4/29/2009
Dean Estill Whaley of Visalia passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009.
He was born September 8, 1926 to Edward and Ethel Estill Whaley.
He was their only child and was raised on the family farm east of Tulare.
Dad had many memories of his childhood, especially those days on the farm where he remembered doing chores, including driving the team of draft horses.
He attended elementary school at the old Bliss School, a one room school house that sat on the corner of E. Bardsley and Lovers Lane.
He graduated from Tulare High School in 1944 where he met his life partner, Wanda Babb.
Mom and Dad were married in March 1947 and enjoyed 62 wonderful years together.
Shortly after High School, Dad was hired by Nielsen's Creamery where he worked as a milk route salesman for over 35 years. When Nielsen's was sold out to Knudsen, he worked in the cheese plant in Visalia until his retirement.
Dad's passion was his love of aviation.
At the young age of 17, Dad bought a Steerman bi-plane. He got a kick out of landing it in local fields to say hi to his friends or give them a ride.
During his 55 years of flying, Dad loved every plane he flew and enjoyed the friendship of his fellow aviators at the Tulare Airport.
Dad was happy simply "shooting a landing",but was especially fond of his many cross country flights, especially those to Baja, California.
Dad enjoyed the good companions, good food and a good cocktail as they watched the sun set over the ocean.
In addition to his commercial pilot's license, he attained his instrument rating as well as a multi-engine rating.
Dad served as past president of the Tulare Flying Club, and was honored to serve on the Tulare Airport Commission.
Our Dad is survived by his loving wife Wanda, of Visalia. Daughters Deborah Payton-Williams and her husband Ken of Visalia, Donna Ford and her husband Mike of Clayton, Georgia, two sons, David and his wife Kathy and Donald Whaley of Visalia.
He leaves seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Thomas Whaley and his half-sister, Margaret Whaley-Westervelt.
Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel made the arrangements.
Graveside services at Tulare District Cemetery.
Published in the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on 4/29/2009
He was born September 8, 1926 to Edward and Ethel Estill Whaley.
He was their only child and was raised on the family farm east of Tulare.
Dad had many memories of his childhood, especially those days on the farm where he remembered doing chores, including driving the team of draft horses.
He attended elementary school at the old Bliss School, a one room school house that sat on the corner of E. Bardsley and Lovers Lane.
He graduated from Tulare High School in 1944 where he met his life partner, Wanda Babb.
Mom and Dad were married in March 1947 and enjoyed 62 wonderful years together.
Shortly after High School, Dad was hired by Nielsen's Creamery where he worked as a milk route salesman for over 35 years. When Nielsen's was sold out to Knudsen, he worked in the cheese plant in Visalia until his retirement.
Dad's passion was his love of aviation.
At the young age of 17, Dad bought a Steerman bi-plane. He got a kick out of landing it in local fields to say hi to his friends or give them a ride.
During his 55 years of flying, Dad loved every plane he flew and enjoyed the friendship of his fellow aviators at the Tulare Airport.
Dad was happy simply "shooting a landing",but was especially fond of his many cross country flights, especially those to Baja, California.
Dad enjoyed the good companions, good food and a good cocktail as they watched the sun set over the ocean.
In addition to his commercial pilot's license, he attained his instrument rating as well as a multi-engine rating.
Dad served as past president of the Tulare Flying Club, and was honored to serve on the Tulare Airport Commission.
Our Dad is survived by his loving wife Wanda, of Visalia. Daughters Deborah Payton-Williams and her husband Ken of Visalia, Donna Ford and her husband Mike of Clayton, Georgia, two sons, David and his wife Kathy and Donald Whaley of Visalia.
He leaves seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Thomas Whaley and his half-sister, Margaret Whaley-Westervelt.
Peers Lorentzen Funeral Chapel made the arrangements.
Graveside services at Tulare District Cemetery.
Published in the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Adv-Register on 4/29/2009
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