Lester Bernard Stailey passed away February 16, 2013 at his residence after a short battle with lymphoma cancer.
He was born on November 2, 1931, where he was raised in Riverside and Gila, New Mexico. Lester attended Cliff schools, graduated from Western New Mexico University with a degree in secondary education. He taught history, driver’s training, and coached basketball in Dove Creek, Colorado for ten years. During those years, he spent his free time on his boat fishing or hunting deer and elk. Summers and most of the rest of his life was spent on the family farm at Gila. He ran the blade for the county road department at Cliff for many years. Lester was active in the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He farmed and gardened his whole life. In 1976, he married Carolyn Carroll Tye and became the father of six children and thirteen grandchildren.
Lester was preceded in death by his mother Ethlyn Lee Stailey, father Charlie Stailey, son John William Tye, and niece Joan Huber. He is survived by Carolyn Carroll, daughters Judy Tye Sultzer of Norwood, New York and Lesle Stailey Eastman of Orcus Island, Washington; sons James Tye of Woodstock, Georgia, Joshua Tye of Orcas Island, Washington, Shiloh Stailey of Gila, New Mexico; brothers Gene Stailey of Mimbres, New Mexico, Don Stailey of Gila, New Mexico, Bill Stailey of Orem, Utah, Gary Stailey of Silver City, New Mexico; sisters Nada Huber Portillo of Silver City, New Mexico, Leda (sis) Pierce of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Ben Sultzer of Mesa, Arizona, Anastasia Sultzer of Florida, William and Jon Sultzer of Norwood, New York, Seth, Daniel, and Jacob Tye of Woodstock, Georgia, Royce Tye of Orcus Island, Washington, Omri Barentine Stailey of Orcus Island, Washington, Aiden and Izaak Eastman of Orcus Island, Washington, Heneus and Noa Stailey of Silver City, New Mexico and many, many, beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Services were held February 23 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with interment at Gila/Mesa Cemetery. Pallbearers were Kenny Stailey, Curt Stailey, Daniel Stailey, Ben Sultzer, Jon Sultzer, and Will Sultzer. Honorary pallbearers were William Luera and John Varela.
Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, “Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends”, 210 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM, 575-388-1911. To send condolences login to www.brightfuneral.net.