Paul Willey

Mark

 

I did not know Nancy well but  I was always weakkneed when approaching her at school. However  I was close to Clay, with whom I spent countless hours competing for grades in our classes, studying at his home, also competing with him at Hill Air Force commissary bagging groceries to see who could earn the most tips from customers. I am certain he developed a stronger character due to the time his spent with Nancy her energy and characte certainly jettisoned him to the point he graduated #1 in his class. I also teased him often that when he went off to the Air Force Academy he found himself compelled to start dating another Nancy whom he later married. 

Mark -I had small interaction with you at school, but distinctly remember sitting in your brand new car, which had all the options you wanted and learned that when you —Mark- decided you wanted it your goal was set, BUT you not only wanted it you wanted to pay cash for it.. I then realized you were disciplined also very understated wishing zero attention—flying under the radar with no fanfare..  Mark of all the individual interviews filmed for our 20th Reunion your insights your wisdom your maturity flowed from a man who knew what he had lived.. your words weren’t read, memorized only to be shared since they sounded right. 

Mark I am certain both you and your companon of 49 years, your soulmate and wife will live on through the ripples of influence these times you shared together will positively impact many. 

 

Thank you for your strong example.

Upon reading your words about your beloved wife, companion and closest friend I find myself grateful that you passed on your dear wife's bond with our class of graduating seniors. Her spirit lives through not only you but her classmates. Please promise to be safe. All my best wishes Paul Willey

Posted on: Sep 12, 2021 at 6:53 PM

Thank you all for posting your comments, your feelings regarding 9/11..in 1996 I was recruited from SLC to Portland Oregon to help an institutional research and sales start up company that focused on originating and selling resarch for Wall Street investment companies i.e. mutual funds, hedge funds…we had a standing 5:00 AM PST meeting to discuss with our research analysts traders and sales team… our trading floor had several TVs hanging from the ceiling each on CNBC.. On that Tuesday morning we had already been in the office an hour when the first plane hit Tower 1, the CNBC announcer shifted from the person being interviewed at that time to a camera shot of Tower 1, at that time he said it appeared a private pilot had made an error by flying into the Tower…shortly after-when it was apparent a commercial aircraft flew into Tower 2 the flames and explosion which rocked each of us in our office. We all had clients a few of us friends in those buildings we were all stunned.. a few hours later making certain our classmate Clay Stewart was awake I called him. The 2 of us often spoke about politics and foreign affairs. I distinctly said Clay, WTF has happened and who is responsible for this!?!?! He said he didn’t know exactly as he had retired from the Air Force his last assignment was at Offutt AFB home of the Strategic Air Command in Omaha Nebraska where he had served as base commander. I had visited him there June of 2000 knowing it was his last summer, selfishly I had always wanted to go to the College World Series held at Rosenblatt Stadium. That year Stanford Cardinal was playing LSU Tigers. I spent the weekend with Clay and his family. He took me to his above ground office then we took an elevator to his underground bunker (75 feet underground) the communication equipment was more sophisticated than I had seen when I visited him a few years earlier when he was at the Pentagon. In Omaha I was more than a pest asking about the communication equipment he laughed and said he couldn’t tell me any more as it was all top secret if he told me he would have to kill me.. at any rate after his retirement he, his wifeNancy, no not Nancy Child his flame at CHS and his children moved to Leadville CO.. on the phone he said he believed it was Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, a name I had never heard prior, responsible for this attack.. later that evening Pres GW Bush was flown to Offutt to get more secure and finally have access to more intelligence about that days events.. GW was taken immediately to that very same underground bunker..damn crazy huh..in May 2011 Clay called me telling me that we finally got that bastard bin Laden..


Gene much like you I related the very same sense of panic with 9/11 as you when JFK was assinated as I was in Lawton Oklahoma since my father was stationed at Ft Sill same situation as Hill AFB and Clearfield/Layton are. Dallas was less than 200 miles away. I was a 7th grader in 5th period science class taught by a young Mr Jackson when the principal came on the PA saying JFK had been assinated…ugh ugh ugh..

There is an excellent documentary on Apple TV + Inside the President’s War Room 9/11 20 years later. I encourage you all to see it. It shows the underground bunker and many insightful comments by those who lived those hours. Yes may God bless you all! Thank you for being so instrumental in my development as a person.. now I know several of you are rightfully saying what a knucklehead I am but please take the perspective how bad would I be but for your wise and mature examples!! Xoxo Paul

Kathi I have room for you on my Apple Music subscription, if you wish I will pay for it entirely through October 2020. Hopefully you have a mobile/cell number so I can formally invite you through the Apple system. You will have total access to the entire Apple Music library and can build your own playlists as you desire. Let me know what you think. Best wishes Paul. Mystic Moods has a few albums in their library. xoxo PW

Hey Knuckle head good seeing you last evening. Every time I hear this song I think of YOU
KEEP A LID ON THINGS...
Crash Test Dummies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCKoub_8Y48
hope to see you this evening BUTT NO JEANS

Posted on: Aug 17, 2019 at 4:54 PM

Kathi you have matured exceptionally The music you asked of last night was The Mystic Moods Orchestra. Hope you can hear some if not I subscribe to Apple Music and can pull up a song for you tonight

IMAGINE
John Lennon

My travels have brought me the opportunity to learn of other cultures, religions, and rituals.

Blessed by Buddhist priest then given a red kabbalah bracelet Phnom Penh Cambodia September 2014

Asked to be poll bearer in Catholic funeral procession Salt Like City May 2013.

Invited to intimate family Jewish Unveiling and subsequent family feast Palm Beach Florida January 1995.

Broke Ramadan fast by sharing the meal called Iftar on floor of carpet shop Grand Bazaar, Istanbul with 4 practicing Muslims December 1999. Each of the four are welcome in my home today.

Attended Southern Baptist church service with closest Junior High friend and his family
Lawton, Oklahoma July 1969


YOUR LOVE IS FOREVER
George Harrison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQ3UbrxqF8

When coming back to Utah I have a ritual visiting my immediate family member’s gravesites. Brent (Class of ‘68) died at age 46 heart attack is buried in Ogden. Then to Syracuse. I immediately find myself sitting on Deb Cox Robbins bench. Looking east to the Wasatch am quickly overcome with emotion. On the clock’s dial at 12:00 close by— my parents tombstone. At 11:00 Marilyn and DeMar Rasmussen’s, neighboring Lawnie’s younger brother Drew, killed in a traffic accident by someone running a stop sign. Beyond tragic. Kelly Flints younger brother Danny about 10:00 and I suspect but don’t know his father John Alan, as I have not been there since he passed away last fall. John passed away last year. I find my senses overwhelmed with gratitude for the positive influence each of these people played by enriching my own life. Cox’s sharp mind and quick humor commanded my attention. Marilyn and DeMar put up with my behavior while having many sleep overs with Lawnie. Similarly Kelly and I spent time usually at their home. His father John, I found to be wise, always asking for my input. Both Gay and he worked effortlessly in the kitchen. When canning fruits and veggies they seemed seamless. Ask Kelly about our decision to return from Syracuse elementary one night daring each other to remove our shorts bare naked back to their home.
Oh the days.

My memories warmly remind me of cherished moments with classmates. The parents of my ’69 friends played major roles.

Faye and Norm Hansen were a perfect couple. Perhaps the most fun I ever had at a party was in their home. We played charades, even today I crack up thinking of this broad range of young adults acting out the parts for the game. I can hear Norm’s distinctive laugh and still see his warm eyes, his face radiated happiness and peace. I did’t know it then, but came to appreciate it years later when on a scout outing at Lava Hot Springs we began playing on the 3 par course. All my life I had been interested in playing golf but this was my first experience. I had rented clubs from Hill Air Base, sliced my first ever tee shot— it landed further from the flag than where I was standing in the tee box. Norm looked at me emphatically with understanding with my disappointment-- he naturally took out his driver, showed a couple swings and handed it to me to use! Many years of golfing I learned many players affection for their drivers rivaled that of a family member. So here is Norm handing me HIS driver, knowing in advance I could have hit the ground several feet before the golf ball, the resulting torque inevitably weakening the shaft and quite possible destroying the club head. This fatherly act came so naturally had his son Kelly been present he could have felt I was the son. Living next to R C Willey’s I was often in the store, and knew Faye would be present greeting me at the office desk, asking me about my day. She knew my brothers names, when both Richard (class of 67) and Brent (class of 68) were serving in Vietnam she asked of their well being. Years later my experience in the working world enlightened the role Faye played in the overall success of Willey’s. She often greeted customers as family, she was the calming salve for the employees helping resolve inevitable conflict between the competitive sales force. She was the face of the company. Bill Child and Sheldon knew they had the secret sauce in Faye.

I had visited Clay Stewarts home often and continued with his parents Nevada and Arlo after he went to Colorado Springs to the academy. Nevada always had updates on Clay’s success at the Air Force academy. Arlo had a deft hand with machine tools, his garage was organized better than many commercial restaurant kitchens. He was soft spoken his words precious, his insights invaluable. Nevada bursting from pride over Clays accomplishments.

Mary and Russ Thurgood actually became my parents when living in their home my first year of college. Commuting to University of Utah with Ronnie Mitchel’s older brother Denny (class 66) and Dennis Andrews (69) worked more efficiently than living in Syracuse. Please sit down SLOW down and think if/IF you could have done this— Mary and Russ volunteered by giving up THEIR master bedroom to accommodate me. Mary was first one up making the morning ‘time to get up’ rounds. Steve generally needed more than one ‘Get out of bed’ call. She made healthy breakfasts-- got me safely off to school, and met me when getting back home. She had to hear how my day had been. Russ was very hard working and would be a reliable source of wisdom in solving the day’s problems. He often had penetrating insights. After returning from my mission both Mary and Russ helped talk me out of the fetal position brought on by girl problems, I took strength from their input.

A few years into my Wall Street career, I ’toyed’ with the idea of starting up an investment advisory branch inside a banks’ trust department. Harold CooK Steed took time to meet with a few times to talk through issues he thought critical. His advice to surround myself with individuals more capable than I crucial. He emphasized trust. I came away believing it was better to be trusted than loved. I came to his church services at the Clearfield 5th Ward to pay my respects to this giant of a man.

After Suzanne and John Steed moved to Atlanta they opened their home to me a couple nights as I had clients in Georgia and Tennessee. One of the best meals I have eaten was in their home. Their kitchen narrow much like an airplanes galley produced an incredible meal. Suzanne’s table settings were first class and her flower arranging brought a touch no restaurant could match, Our conversation about events around the world invigorated to degree I wanted to learn more.

But wait THERE’s MORE. Since my ladder accident I have come to know of Joanne Barber McDermott’s devotion and commitment to our class. Behind the scenes she has spent hundreds of hours helping us keep in touch. Trying to locate me, she contacted my mother shortly after my accident. Joanne will never attempt to garner the spotlight, last night she as she always does, assists with issues, then much s a bee to another flower collects the pollen we all have needed and shares her energy. I have found her to be the backbone of our togetherness.

AS my final update I would like to share music that means a great deal to me

HIDE AND SEEK
Howard Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liGUgqrF0PA

IN THE DEEP
Bird York
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_FRluQgYpI

More color about that life changing day November 15, 2008 —I was troubled as a close friend was let go from work. I had been drinking (as if/IF I had ever needed any reason to have a cocktail). This was a Saturday afternoon. I fell from the ladder which I should never had been on SOBER. On the following day, my neighbors came over to get permission to use my barn, they were in process of assembling a stable of horses to be used in Hippotherapy. They needed more horse stalls. I said of course. The neighbor, a female MD was concerned about my swollen face. I told her about falling. She needed to pick up the horses or she would have taken me to the ER. Knowing me, I am certain I mumbled to myself several expletives about being a 57 year old man, I can care for myself. I drove myself to the ER. Then I was taken by ambulance to a trauma hospital. Prior to this ladder incident I had had a history of throwing bilateral pulmonary emboli (PEs) often fatal & was on lifetime blood thinners. There was enough blood in my cranium they immediately took me off expecting I could stroke. I did TWICE. I was in the trauma hospital almost a week. Then transferred to a third hospital to undergo physical and speech therapies. It was not until I was in the rehab hospital that I realized something was odd. I could not remember any of the events. After 7 weeks I was released from the rehab hospital.

Wise man I was of course I chose to drown myself by consuming obscene volumes of alcohol, not beer, not wine, but HARD LIQUOR. By 9:30 AM Pacific Coast Time (when the exchanges opened each morning), I had consumed at least a gallon of hard liquor. It took me too long to acknowledge I was being a coward by running away from the issues in front of me. I slowly came to realize what a terrible person I had been to others including me. The long climb from that Marianna Trench began.

Since the strokes I went on that three week photo safari in South Africa and had a heart attack. The events of traveling over 250 miles to Johannesburg to a hospital resembled a Keystone Cops adventure. If you wish I can share some of the crazy events getting to and trying to get admitted to a hospital in a country where I had zero health insurance.

Returning home I decided to try another exciting chapter in my life. At age 62 I enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu (LCB) cooking school, passed their courses. I was hoping to be a better cook for myself family and friends. Not remotely looking for work.


After graduation from LCB I bankrolled two culinary attempts selecting my favorite classmates from school. A food truck and a catering company, both failed. So be it. I realized long before I had cheated death more than my share. I am convinced the powers that be don’t want me in the afterlife as I would totally disrupt all peace and harmony there.

Next adventure I had always wanted to see the Amazon. Suzy was the perfect one to invite. We stayed in comfortable hotels in Lima, Cuzco also Macchu Picchu. Cuzco is ONLY 11,200 feet above sea level. LivIng at sea level 20 years I got altitude sickness, could not sleep little lone breathe & of course Salt Lake Suzy cracked up calling me Mr Wimp when I left to the lobby getting a tank of oxygen.

Our cruise on the Amazon spectacular. If I were making good money today would definitely go back. We boarded a 4 cabin house boat with Delfin Cruises. Our boat had only 4 cabins. Each with private balcony. On board 2 private chefs prepared white glove meals. We enjoyed 4 days of spoiling ourselves. We were told Harrison Ford had booked our boat earlier that year. I strongly recommend it. It was a tad rich even for my blood —the nightly room rate for 2 —$2500. But again, a must do, put it on your bucket list. I have photos of some of the meals will share at the golf outing if you wish.

I have a couple more updates. See you goons soon!

THE FLAT EARTH
Thomas Dolby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bHH5EvbeM


Travel

All since graduating from CHS

Multiple US cross country road trips from west to east coast and back again. 1977-1980.

South and Central America

Brazil
Rio de Janeiro x 2 flying into the city by far for me the most spectacular of all cities in the world
Chile you must visit Valparaiso
Argentina huge disappointment weather bad, government holiday everyone closed down and saw no as in ZERO supermodels!
Columbia hot and muggy much safer than I thought



Europe

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic (Prague very romantic), Denmark, England, France, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Monte Carlo, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and of course Germany countless times having lived there 4 years.
Ukraine x 2 on first visit in 2002 robbed (gold Cartier watch). Knuckle headed I went back in 2003. Oh….like the Beatles sang ‘The girls from Ukraine really knock me out. They leave the west behind’.

Notable memory
Returning from Venice, Italy my 53rd birthday gift to myself the lead flight attendant greeted me and thanked me for being a million mile flier with Delta. After we took off the flight attendants sang Happy Birthday over the PA.

Caribbean

Barbados
Bahamas x 2
Cuba x 2 (both illegally) both in 1999–on first visit robbed ($). What did I do?!? Went back a second time. Knuckle-head.

Cruises

My first cruise ever was Vancouver BC to Anchorage AK- my liquor bill easily exceeded cost of said cruise. Aurora Borealis amazing, thought I been slipped a tab of LSD.
2007.

Panama Canal departed from San Diego through the canal into Miami. Again liquor bill exceeded entire cost of cruise. 2011

Mekong River Cruise 2014 Had been sober over 3 years—no liquor charges!!


South Africa 2010 After my strokes took a three week photo safari had heart attack in week 2, three days in CCU kept me from seeing Cape Town Darn it!

Swaziland 2010

Viet Nam 2014.
Cambodia 2014.