Grand marshal’s family has strong local ties

Joleen Willey’s ancestors helped settle the Bountiful area more than 150 years ago.

Source: Davis County Clipper

BOUNTIFUL — From her home in the hills above Bountiful, Joleen Willey can see the vast valley settled by her family’s ancestors more than 150 years ago.

But it looks different now.

There are trees. And homes. Hospitals and highways.

And those changes and that growth were helped along not only by her ancestors, but by her family members. For that reason, Willey has been selected as Grand Marshal of the Bountiful Handcart Days 2010 Parade.

“I’m just quite thrilled,” said Willey, who will be accompanied in the parade by three great-grandchildren, Ryann and Jaxson Eastman and Jaidyn Moncur. “I’m happy to do whatever I can to support the event, which is based on traditions, and recognize the honor comes because of the Willey name.”

“They’re a great family,” said Jerry Larrabee, who with his wife, Lois, chairs the parade committee. “The Willeys were true pioneers that helped develop the south end of Davis County. They were farmers and business owners — they’re still doing business here and their children all live here and it’s somebody we wanted to honor.”

The little log cabin situated just south of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center on Main Street was the home of Jeremiah Willey, who settled in the valley in 1851.

When first moving to Bountiful, Willey’s family lived with his wife, Samantha Call’s family, then built the home that is now known as the Willey cabin in 1854, then another home that still stands at 400 North and 200 West. He and his wife had nine children but his health had suffered from the trek with the Battalion, and he died in 1868 after falling into a creek while looking for cattle.

Fast forward 100 years or so, and the Willey family can be seen establishing a car dealership in Bountiful. Jeremiah’s youngest son, Joseph, had a youngest son, a twin, Marion, who opened a Ford dealership in 1950. Marion’s son, Don, went to work there a year later, and Don and his wife, Joleen moved from Salt Lake to Bountiful.

When asked what her ancestors would think of the area now, she said: “Even I am amazed – it’s almost a metropolis. But I love it because it still has country and because it’s only been recently that we had to start locking our doors and taking the keys out of our cars.”

Joleen says it is her husband who is especially being honored by this designation. Don Willey, who passed away in January at the age of 80, was very involved in the community and contributed to the arts.

“He was a wonderful man and very well loved and highly thought of. My husband’s word was his handshake,” she said. “I’m sure he would be very pleased and I truly seek to represent him and the Willey family.”