Wesley L. Headington

Obituary for Wesley L. Headington Wesley L. Headington, 89, of Hagerman, Idaho, a World War II and Korean War Veteran peacefully passed away at his home on January 16, 2011. Wes was born in Saskatchewan, Canada to Floyd and Julia Headington on January 24, 1921. He grew up and graduated from high school in Decorah, Iowa. Wes enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1939. Upon completion of Electrician Mate School and Naval Submarine School, he was proudly assigned to the USS Thresher (SS 200). Wes was entering Pearl Harbor on the Thresher as the December 7, 1941 attack began. With honor, Wes completed 13 submarine war patrols during World War II. Wes met and married June Hillary Price on January 28, 1944 in Perth, Australia. After assignments on several submarines and participation in the Korean War, he was selected to serve on the first U.S. Nuclear submarine, Nautilus (SSN 571), commissioned in 1954. Wes's last naval assignment was at the Navy's Idaho Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He retired as Chief Electrician's Mate in Idaho Falls after 20 years of service. He spent the next 20 years working on various nuclear-related projects for the Idaho National Laboratory before full retirement in 1984. Wes and June loved Idaho and spent many wonderful weekends at their Palisades Lake cabin with family and friends. Wes enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, wood-working, playing cards and pool. He and June were active members of the First Lutheran Church for many years. Wes was a member of the Idaho Falls Elks Lodge. After the death of his beloved wife, June in 2003, Wes moved to Hagerman, Idaho to be closer to his daughter. Wes is survived by his brothers Douglas (Jeannine) Headington of Sun City, Arizona and Curtis (Joan) Headington of LaCross, Wisconsin; sister Jeanette Rod of Moscow, Idaho; sister-in-law Laverne Headington of Decorah, Iowa; daughter Kerry (Frank) Adams of Hagerman, Idaho; son Dennis (Amy) Headington of Rocky Mount, Virginia; grandchildren Jamie (Danielle) Adams, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Scott Headington of Austell, Georgia, Todd (Macey) Headington of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Frankie Adams of Idaho Falls, and Cody Adams of Hagerman; and great grandchildren Zachary Adams, Daniel Alvarez, Jaden Powell-Adams, Madison Headington, Abigail Headington and Kobe Alvarez. Wes was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers Harry, Lloyd, Hugh, and Roger and great granddaughter Jessica Adams. Wes's family gives special thanks to employees and residents of Cornerstone Care Assisted Living in Hagerman for their friendship and assistance to Wes during his 4 year residence. Thanks also to Aimee and Laurell of Alliance Hospice Care, Jerome, Idaho for their loving care of Wes during the past month. A memorial service will be held on January 24, 2011 at Calvary Chapel, 241 State Street, Hagerman at 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Calvary Chapel Youth Program, P.O. Box 595, Hagerman, Idaho 83332. Online memories/anecdotes may be submitted to Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com