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Gladys C. (Bernal) Willey

Posted 2007-05-12 by Judy Wight Branson
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Sunday, April 8, 2007

Gladys C. Willey passed peacefully with family by her side on March 23, 2007, in her El Cajon home. Born Gladys Consuelo Bernal on February 1, 1924, in Galveston, Texas, she led a life full of love and admiration by all who knew her. She was a petite woman with a big heart and will be lovingly remembered by family as the true 'Yellow Rose of Texas.'

At the tender age of 20, the 4'-11-1/2" Bernal joined the U.S. Navy at the pinnacle of World War II. Although she didn't quite make the military height restriction of 5', the military doctor passed her because of her enthusiastic patriotism. After leaving the Navy in 1946, while working at the Alameda Naval Air Station, Bernal met Donald Scott Willey, a young sailor. Soon after, Willey was transferred to Hawaii where Bernal followed to continue their courtship. In 1949, she became Mrs. Gladys C. Willey in Honolulu, where they returned to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

She was a dedicated military wife and supported Willey throughout his Naval career while maintaining her own career in federal civil service. She served at various duty stations and ended her tenure as a finance officer at the San Diego Naval Supply Center. After both retired, the couple moved to Prescott, Arizona, and took several memorable trips throughout the U.S. and Canada in their RV. They recently moved to California to be closer to family.

Gladys was deeply religious, and was a proud member of St. Vincent de Paul's Society in Prescott, Arizona, as well as a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America in Pearland, Texas. Gladys and Donald were also members of Scots of Prescott, celebrating their mutual Scottish heritage.

Throughout their 59-year marriage, Gladys took great pride in being a loving wife, devoted mother to five, grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to one. Her family was everything to her and she was the core of the family spirit. She is survived by her husband Donald; daughters, Donna Manning of Encinitas, Calif., Debra Demko of El Cajon, Calif., Denise Long of Prescott, Ariz.; sons, Daniel S. Willey of Olympia, Wash., and David S. Willey of Escondido, Calif.; grandchildren, Morgan, Suzanne, Alexis, Tyler, Bray, Eleni, Becky and Seth; and great-grandchild, Damien. Of her five sisters and three brothers, she is survived by only one sister, Virginia Prince, of Friendswood, Texas.

A private interment service will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Cabrillo Memorial Drive, Point Loma, Calif., Friday, April 20, 2007, at 9 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 9655 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 300, San Diego, Calif., 92123.

Information provided by survivors.




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