Wiley "Gene" Anderson

Wiley Gene Anderson Wenatchee, Washington Gene was born February 21, 1928, on a 90-acre farm just East of Oklahoma City in Choctaw, Oklahoma. He lived there with his parents, Claude and Edna Anderson and three older siblings, Theo, Woodrow, and Dorothy. Gene learned to drive a Model A Ford on the farm at the age of nine. In 1943 he moved with his parents to Wenatchee at age fifteen, driving all the way pulling a four-wheel trailer loaded with family possessions. At a multifamily Christmas party in 1943, he met Joyce who was to become his wife six years later. While attending Wenatchee High School, Gene began flying lessons at Fancher Field, earning his pilot's license just past 17 years of age. He loved flying but could not afford to get his fill of it. At age 18, he joined the Navy for two years and participated in Operation Crossroads in the South Pacific on the Marshall Islands testing two Atom bombs on old WW2 ships. He finished his Navy time on the LST 1122 mostly in the San Diego harbor. Gene returned to Wenatchee and started attending Wenatchee Valley College, dating Joyce, and building a house on Maiden Lane. He and Joyce were married on June 5, 1949 and started their family, Mark being born on July 24, 1951. Gene graduated from Central Washington College in 1952 and began teaching school at Rock Island Elementary for four years. He then taught two years at Eastmont High School being on faculty for the first graduating class in 1958. Gene and Joyce lost a son at birth on November 11, 1956, Stuart Glenn. In 1958, Gene was Principal at Rock Island when Lisa joined the family in January 15, 1960. He also served as Principal of Kenroy, and Cascade Elementary Schools, and the last three years of his 30 year Career in Education at Sterling Middle School, retiring from Education in 1982. During his career in education, Gene served as President of the Elementary School Principal's Association in 1976. Gene, Joyce and both children accepted the Lord as Savior while attending First Baptist Church in Wenatchee. Gene served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Church President during some 30 years. In 1982 he became a member of the Free Methodist Church where he served in Church design and Joyce in Interior decorating. After retiring from Education, Gene entered into property management and served in this role at Manson Villa, Mansfield Manor, and Garden Terrace for the next 11 years until Social Security got him. While at Garden Terrace, Joyce redecorated the public area and dining room and ran the dining program for a couple of years. Great job. Gene loved some 27 years of boating, water skiing and snow skiing with his kids. He also taught a countless number of other kids to water ski on Lake Chelan. Gene also loved to travel in the '85 motorhome he bought new. He took it to all 48 states, Washington D.C. and Canada during the 22 years he owned it. Gene never got to own an airplane but did enjoy some soaring in later years off of Pangborn Field. He lived in four houses, one of which he built completely, and helped build two more. The last one came ready-made although he added a patio shelter and storage in the garage. He helped his kids with their homes, building one for Mark and remodeling one for Lisa. Gene and Joyce were as ONE, always doing everything together. Gene and Joyce were best friends. They went to Hawaii on their 40th anniversary, Europe on their 50th and to dinner at Campbells in Chelan on their 60th anniversary, Ha! They also enjoyed two cruises, one to Alaska and one through the Panama Cannel. Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce; son Mark and wife, Julie and their son, Aaron and wife Ashley and great-granddaughter, Ava and Emma, great grandson Liam Edward of Spokane; daughter Lisa and her husband, Peter Christian, and their daughter, Hannah and son, Dane of Bellevue. He was pre-deceased by his parents, son, Stuart Glen, his brother, Woodrow, and sister Theo. After 75 years in the Wenatchee Valley, Gene went to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 27, 2018. Gene and Joyce would have celebrated 69 wonderful years together on June 5, 2018. Friends and family may visit Jones & Jones ~Betts Funeral Home Friday, June 15 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. A service will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 2:00 pm at the Fireside Room at Sage Hills Church, 1601 5th Street. Interment will take place Monday, June 18 at Wenatchee City Cemetery at 11:00 am.

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Wiley "Gene" Anderson

February 21, 1928 - May 27, 2018