Wesley McWilliams (Mansfield) 's Obituary
Wesley Wayne McWilliams was born November 27, 1946 in Bellingham, WA to Wayne and Vera McWilliams. He had 2 brothers, Darell and Terry, and two sisters, Carol and Marilyn.
Wes went to Ferndale SDA School through 8th grade, Bellingham Junior Academy through tenth grade, then to Auburn Academy for his Junior and Senior years. He graduated from high school in 1965, and married Pattie Lindberg on August 28, 1966 when he was 19 years old. He attended Walla Walla College and graduated in 1970 with a B.S. in Education with minors in Business and History.
Wes spent many years as a teacher, beginning his career in Aberdeen, WA. He then taught three years in Enumclaw, WA, four years at Springfield Junior Academy, and four years in Garden City, KS. He taught for 15 years in various schools, including Marshfield Christian School, Liberty Faith, and Seymour Public School in Missouri. He was the principal for most of his years in education. His retired from teaching at Ketchum Adventist Academy in June, 2016. He had been there for 11 years. When he arrived there, the school had 12 students, and enrollment had increased to 40 by the time he retired.
Over the years Wes enjoyed farming, truck driving, running a bakery, raising dogs, and selling books. He had dairy cows when his kids were growing up, and has a herd of beef cattle on his farm now.
Wes enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, water sports, music, and socializing. He really enjoyed running a youth camp near Dora, MO every year for over 20 years.
His family was very important to him. Wes & Pattie celebrated their 50th anniversary this August. They had six sons and one daughter: Randy (& Kelli of Grand Junction, CO), Donald, Richard (Hudson, CO), Jeanne (& Curtis Rodman of Marshfield, MO), Warren (& Kim of Circle Pines, MN), Ronald (& Mandy of Maxwell, IA), Roger (MO,NE,CO), and daughter-in-law Carolyn Adams McWilliams (Brighton, CO). Their family has been blessed with 17 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Terry, and son, Donald.
Wes will be missed by many who enjoyed his leadership, music, speaking, teaching, and sense of humor.
What’s your fondest memory of Wesley ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wesley ?
Share a story where Wesley 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wesley you’ll never forget.
How did Wesley make you smile?
