Obituary for Milton Woolsey
Milton Woolsey passed away at his home in Bakersfield, California on July 9. He was born July 21, 1941 in Escalante, Utah, to Tillman and Mildred Morrill Woolsey. He attended Escalante High School, where he served as Student Body President and Basketball Team Captain, graduating in 1959. On April 2, 1961, he married his sweetheart, Joyce Lyman, and a year later, they were sealed in the Saint George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They would become the parents of six children over the next several years.
During the early years of their marriage, Milton attended the State College of Southern Utah. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1967, the family relocated to Anaheim, California, where Milton taught elementary school and attended California State University, Long Beach. In 1971, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Elementary Education, and the family moved to Delano, California, where Milton worked as the Principal of Earlimart Junior High, then of Cecil Avenue Junior High, and eventually as the Assistant Superintendent, and then Superintendent of the Delano Union Elementary School District. He earned a Doctor of Education degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, in 1985, by taking his family to Utah during summer vacations to complete his studies. After retiring from the DUESD in 2002, Milton and Joyce, now empty-nesters, relocated to Bakersfield, California, where he was persuaded to become a Professor of Education and Director of the Multiple Subjects Credential Program at California State University. He was named Professor of the Year in 2006 and retired again in 2007.
Milton was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in a wide variety of church callings, including Scoutmaster, Ward and Stake Young Men President, Branch President, Bishop, High Councilman, and Stake President. After retirement, he and Joyce served three missions for the church: 2008-2010 as Asia Area Welfare Specialists, during which they lived in Hong Kong and traveled throughout Asia helping to administer a variety of welfare projects in conjunction with various NGOs; 2012-2014 as Church Education System Specialists, during which they lived in Birmingham, England, and worked with the local Young Single Adults and the Institute of Religion; and for the past year, as Self-Reliance Specialists in the Bakersfield California Mission, where they have helped people to improve their educational and employment situations. He also received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1997, in honor of his many years of service to them.
Throughout his life, Milton has been known for his amazing sense of humor, wonderful story-telling skills, generosity, and service to others. He was a great man who will always be remembered for his boundless energy when it came to helping other people. He loved camping, hiking, wood carving, making homemade root beer, ice cream and sour dough treats, bicycling, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Milton is preceded in death by his parents Mildred Morrill Adair and Tillman Woolsey, granddaughter Beth Basquez; grandson Alexander Nicholas Basquez; and siblings Rula Christensen, Bud Woolsey, Wells Woolsey, Dewey Woolsey, Elnora Williams, Billie Ellett, Phylis Woolsey, and Donald Woolsey-Cowles. He is survived by his eternal companion, Joyce, of Bakersfield, Calif.; six children: Wendy (Ramon) Terrazas of Delano, Calif.; Wendell (Kristine) Woolsey of Farr West, Utah; Michelle (Bryan) Arana of Santa Clarita, Calif.; Warren (Trini) Woolsey of Bakersfield, Calif,; Mark (Jennifer) Woolsey of Bakersfield, Calif.; and Michael (Tamra) Woolsey of Eagle, Idaho; his brother Warren Woolsey, sisters Sharon Francisco, Mona Gene Sorenson, and Rae Smith; 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Thursday, July 18, at 9 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center at 5500 Fruitvale Avenue, Bakersfield, California, with funeral services to follow at 11 AM. A graveside service will also be held Saturday, July 20, at 10 AM at the Escalante Cemetery, in Escalante, Utah, to be followed by interment. Services under the direction of Cherished Memories Memorial Chapel of Fresno, California.