George Wiley Hesselgrave, Jr., lifetime resident of Coupeville, died Aug. 7, 2008, at Fidalgo Care Center, Anacortes, at the age of 89. George, the youngest of three children, was born in Coupeville at the home of his parents, George Wiley, Sr. and Johanna Augusta Rose (Voss) Hesselgrave on Nov. 3, 1918.
George or “Wiley” or “G.W.”, as he was also known, attended school in Coupeville. He was involved in football and wrestling in high school. George developed a keen sense of mechanics and while still in school, worked at Al Sorgenfrei’s auto repair shop.
George graduated from Coupeville High School with the Class of 1940. He had various jobs including work on the Engles’ farm. In 1942, George was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force as a mechanic and served until his discharge in 1946.
Following his war-time experience, George returned to Whidbey. He was married to Anna Dorothy Chapman in Coupeville. Shortly after their marriage, George and Annie moved to Sumas, where George partnered with his cousin in an auto repair shop. The shop was short lived and the couple returned to Whidbey.
George worked for a time as an Island County Deputy Sheriff and then found work as a mechanic at NAS Whidbey. A reduction in force occurred and George was laid off. He worked for a time for Island County and then returned to NAS Whidbey as a heavy equipment mechanic. He retired from the base in 1977 as a mechanic supervisor of heavy equipment. Retirement for George did not mean sitting at home. He soon went to work for Engles farm as a mechanic. He eventually worked for son Wayne for several years, before retiring again.
George enjoyed being involved in his community. He served as a fireman with the Town of Coupeville and as a member of the Coupeville Town Council. He was also a charter member of the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge 2362. For many years he was the bus driver for Chuck Dann’s ski school.
George’s first love was for his family. His second passion was mechanics. He loved to tinker and tear apart and repair engines.
George is survived by Annie, his wife of 61 years; and by four children, Dorothy Ann Hesselgrave Engom and Wayne D. Hesselgrave, both of Anacortes, Mary Jo Bruce of Marysville and Mark Hesselgrave of Coupeville; seven grandchildren, Andrew Engom of Oak Harbor, Rory Engom of Granite Falls, Heather Bruce of Lacey, Trevor Bruce of Everett and Marie, Jessie and Wiley Hesselgrave of Coupeville; and one great grandchild, Wyatt Engom of Oak Harbor.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, on Tuesday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville with Linda Haddon officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. Memorials may be made to the Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children, PO Box 110760, Tacoma, WA 98411-0760. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
