Walter V. Willey (~1880-1946)
O'Brien County Bell, 17 Apr, 1946, p 1
W. V. Willey, 66, Dies Suddenly Sunday Evening Prominent Businessman of Sibley For Thirty Years; Funeral Is Held Wednesday Afternoon
Walt Willey, 66, died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday night, while visiting in the home of Mrs. Willey's sister, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Johnson of Sanborn. Mr. Willey had been in failing health for the last year, but his condition was not considered serious. Mr. Willey was regarded as one of Sibley's most prominent citizens and successful businessmen.
Mr. Willey, in partnership with Mr. Greig of Estherville, under the firm name of Willey & Greig, owned and successfully operated grain elevators at Sibley, Primghar and Harris. He came to Sibley from Kenneth, Minnesota 31 years ago.
Mr. Willey served his country with distinguished honors in the Spanish-American war. He officiated as a member of the city council in 1920 and 1921 at the time when the city paving was installed. He served again as councilman in the years from 1926 to 1930 inclusive. He always took an active part in the civic and business affairs of the community. He was an active member of the Modern Woodmen and was a director in the Tri-State Mutual Insurance company.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist church in charge of the local post of the American Legion with due military honors. Rev. Harvey Nelson, the local pastor, gave the sermon. Burial was made in the Sibley cemetery. Out of respect to the deceased, Sibley stores and business houses closed during the hours of the funeral. - The Sibley Gazette Tribune
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O'Brien County Bell, 17 Apr, 1946, p 3
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Veldhuizen attended [the] funeral Monday of the lady's aged grandmother at Hospers. Mrs. Anne Dunn and son Joe of Milwaukee, Wis., visited the past week in the home of the former's sister, Mrs. Mike Johnson, coming especially to attend funeral services of the lady's brother-in-law, Walter Welley [sic, Willey], held at Sibley Wednesday afternoon.
Transcribed by Alan Nicholson
