WELLIK, Viola F. (Vi)

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Wickenburg lost one of its most prominent and civic minded citizens last Friday, Feb. 20, 2004, when Viola F. Wellik died at her beloved home, the Flying ~E~ Ranch, with her family beside her. Vi, as she was affectionately known, was born on Aug. 20, 1915 in Los Angeles, Calif. She met George Wellik in 1942 and they married on April 11, 1943. The Welliks called Bellflower, Calif. home for many years while raising their children, Shirlee, Warren and Wendy. Even though Vi was an active member in the Bellflower community, she longed to raise her children in a quieter environment. In 1949 as George and Vi vacationed in Arizona they were heading to Bandera, Texas to check out the Flying "W" for a future home-site when they happened to fly over the Flying ~E~. They circled the ranch and Vi's comment was, "It looks like a motel in the middle of the desert!" Intrigued by this desert oasis they decided to flip a coin to decide whether or not to press on to the Flying "W" or land at the Flying ~E~. As luck would have it, the E prevailed! Soon after their visit, the Welliks approached Lee Eyerly about purchasing the property. They completed the purchase in 1952 and assumed full management in 1960. The family then moved to Wickenburg occupying the original Steve Hambaugh house on Yucca Drive, which is now the current site of Pueblo Cassandra. The "Welliks Wigwam" (Vi and George's home) was completed on the Flying ~E~ property in 1962. Vi continued to enjoy the serenity of the wigwam until her death. Both Warren and Wendy grew up in Wickenburg and both graduated from Wickenburg High School. Shirlee had married by this time and resided in San Rafael, Calif. In addition to operating the Ranch, the Wellik's other business interests in the community included construction of Country Club and West Park mobile home parks, West Plaza shopping center, the Wickenburg Industrial Airpark, Pueblo Cassandra and Saddle Ridge subdivisions, as well as numerous other projects. An exhaustive list of the Wellik's contributions to the community is impossible to recite, but many should be noted: the extended care unit at Wickenburg Community Hospital, the acquisition and refurbishing of the Santa Fe Depot for use by the Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal Airport known as Wellik Field, in honor of George, an avid flyer. The George Wellik scholarship fund, donation of Sunset Park to the town, the donation of a Steinway concert grand piano to the Webb Center, the donation of the Everett Bowman statue on the grounds of Town Hall and most recently, funding the relocation of the steam locomotive to Frontier Street and the purchase and restoration of the adjoining drover's caboose which was dedicated last November. In addition, Vi made countless anonymous contributions to the community and to the projects, which she believed contributed to the preservation of Wickenburg's ranching and mining heritage. Her husband George preceded Vi in death in 1983, as well as her son Warren in 1987. She is survived by her daughter Wendy Stambaugh of Wickenburg and Wendy's children Dallas, Cody and Casey, daughter Shirlee Wise of Las Vegas, Nev. and by Shirlee's children Mark, Bret, Daryl and Shaun. At Vi's request, there will be no formal services held by the family. Though your fond remembrances are gift enough, those who care to do so may make a tax deductible gift in Vi's honor to the Wellik Foundation in care of the Flying ~E~ Ranch, 2801 W. Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, AZ 85390. Vi established the Wellik Foundation in 1998, the purpose in which is to establish a permanent fund for Philanthropic purposes in the Wickenburg area, although it is locally controlled, the Wellik Foundation is affiliated with the Arizona Community Foundation and is a recognized tax exempt charitable organization which will provide funding for worthy local projects. "The Wickenburg community lost its best friend, Vi Wellik," said Mayor Lon McDermott and Chamber Director Julie Brooks in a prepared statement submitted to The Sun. According to Brooks, the Town of Wickenburg and the Chamber of Commerce are planning a tribute in late March to honor and celebrate Vi's life and contribution to the Town. "It will most likely be held at Sunset Park-that is the last property she donated to the Town, and was part of the original Ranch," Brooks said. More information, and a date will be published in an upcoming issue of The Sun. Arrangements by Wickenburg Funeral Home. ~~~~~~~~~~~ The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ February, 2004 Viola F. Wellik, 1915-2004 Wickenburg, Arizona lost one of its most prominent and civic-minded residents on February 20, 2004. Vi as she was affectionately known was the owner of the Flying-E-Guest Ranch in Wickenburg for almost 50 years. She is known and loved by her family, staff and guests from all across the country and the world. Her husband George and son Warren preceded Vi in death. Daughter's Shirlee and Wendy and grandchildren survive her.