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Willagene “Wickie” Wither

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Willagene “Wickie” Wither

Birth
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Death
27 Sep 2005 (aged 77)
Placer County, California, USA
Burial
Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, USA GPS-Latitude: 34.0098315, Longitude: -118.0541431
Plot
Whispering Pines Lawn 2, Gate 17, Section 2, Lot 82A, Grave 2
Memorial ID
View Source
WILLAGENE WITHER (1927–2005)
aka Wickie

Willagene Wither was born on 15th October 1927 to Eugene Jameson Wither, who worked for the Los Angeles Herald newspaper, and his wife Frances Virginia Wither (née Summer).

Willagene married actor William Boyett in 1947, though they divorced in 1950, William marrying again in 1957. Willagene and William did not have any children.

Willagene was known as Wickie among her friends and family.

Willagene died, aged 77, on 27th September 2005 in Auburn, Placer County, California.

The full text of Willagene's obituary reads:

"Willagene Wither

Oct 03, 2005 11:00 AM

Willagene Wither (77) of Auburn, passed away on 9/27/05 from cancer. Ms. Wither grew up in the Los Angeles area as the only child of a socially prominent family. Her father was managing editor of the Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, and her mother was the society editor for the Long Beach Press Telegram. "Wickie" as her family called her, attended Shirley Temple and Jane Withers' birthday parties when she was a girl and knew many of the "Old Hollywood" stars.

Willagene attended both the University of Southern California and UCLA. While at USC, she was active in the Tri-Delta Sorority. In 1947, she married William Boyett, who became part of Jack Webb's stock company of actors in his many television shows. Mr. Boyett is best remembered in the role of Sgt. MacDonald on the series Adam 12.

When her marriage ended in divorce, Willagene devoted herself to her career and taking care of others. She was one of the first women managers with Bank of America and was employed by Bank of America for over thirty years. At her retirement in the mid-80's, she was a loan officer at the Cerritos, California branch. She cared for her mother, Frances Wither, until her death in 1983.

In 1985, Willagene moved to Auburn to live with her aunt, Helen Andre. She selflessly took care of Helen until her death in 1995. In her adopted community, Willagene actively supported the Higgins Fire Auxiliary and the Bear River Lioness Club. She thoroughly enjoyed her friends in "The Girls' Birthday Club" and being a regular at the Red Wagon Restaurant.

Willagene loved movies, plays, and music, especially opera. Her favorite performer was Plácido Domingo. She will always be remembered for her great personal style, sense of humor and determination never to be a burden to anyone.

There will be no services at Willagene's request. She will be buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier beside her mother."

As per her final wishes, Willagene was buried next to her mother, Frances, in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, in Whispering Pines, Lawn 2, 82A, 2. Her paternal grandfather, Peter Ritchie Wither, is also buried nearby, in Whispering Pines, Lawn 3.

[Memorial created by David Gilmour,
1st cousin, 2x removed of Willagene,
with many thanks to Vicky Hansen for the photo of her headstone,
and Denise Bostwick for helping me find records and photos.]
WILLAGENE WITHER (1927–2005)
aka Wickie

Willagene Wither was born on 15th October 1927 to Eugene Jameson Wither, who worked for the Los Angeles Herald newspaper, and his wife Frances Virginia Wither (née Summer).

Willagene married actor William Boyett in 1947, though they divorced in 1950, William marrying again in 1957. Willagene and William did not have any children.

Willagene was known as Wickie among her friends and family.

Willagene died, aged 77, on 27th September 2005 in Auburn, Placer County, California.

The full text of Willagene's obituary reads:

"Willagene Wither

Oct 03, 2005 11:00 AM

Willagene Wither (77) of Auburn, passed away on 9/27/05 from cancer. Ms. Wither grew up in the Los Angeles area as the only child of a socially prominent family. Her father was managing editor of the Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express, and her mother was the society editor for the Long Beach Press Telegram. "Wickie" as her family called her, attended Shirley Temple and Jane Withers' birthday parties when she was a girl and knew many of the "Old Hollywood" stars.

Willagene attended both the University of Southern California and UCLA. While at USC, she was active in the Tri-Delta Sorority. In 1947, she married William Boyett, who became part of Jack Webb's stock company of actors in his many television shows. Mr. Boyett is best remembered in the role of Sgt. MacDonald on the series Adam 12.

When her marriage ended in divorce, Willagene devoted herself to her career and taking care of others. She was one of the first women managers with Bank of America and was employed by Bank of America for over thirty years. At her retirement in the mid-80's, she was a loan officer at the Cerritos, California branch. She cared for her mother, Frances Wither, until her death in 1983.

In 1985, Willagene moved to Auburn to live with her aunt, Helen Andre. She selflessly took care of Helen until her death in 1995. In her adopted community, Willagene actively supported the Higgins Fire Auxiliary and the Bear River Lioness Club. She thoroughly enjoyed her friends in "The Girls' Birthday Club" and being a regular at the Red Wagon Restaurant.

Willagene loved movies, plays, and music, especially opera. Her favorite performer was Plácido Domingo. She will always be remembered for her great personal style, sense of humor and determination never to be a burden to anyone.

There will be no services at Willagene's request. She will be buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier beside her mother."

As per her final wishes, Willagene was buried next to her mother, Frances, in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, in Whispering Pines, Lawn 2, 82A, 2. Her paternal grandfather, Peter Ritchie Wither, is also buried nearby, in Whispering Pines, Lawn 3.

[Memorial created by David Gilmour,
1st cousin, 2x removed of Willagene,
with many thanks to Vicky Hansen for the photo of her headstone,
and Denise Bostwick for helping me find records and photos.]

Inscription

WILLAGENE WITHER

LOVED BY MANY

1927–2003



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  • Created by: DJG
  • Added: May 10, 2018
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189635468/willagene-wither: accessed ), memorial page for Willagene “Wickie” Wither (15 Oct 1927–27 Sep 2005), Find a Grave Memorial ID 189635468, citing Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by DJG (contributor 49365673).