Ollie Woolsey

Ollie Woolsey just celebrated his 82nd birthday on January 15th and passed away in Grants Pass on February 22, 2022.

Ollie was born January 15, 1940, at home in Grants Pass to Wayne and Addie Woolsey. He was the 10th of 11 children and the first Woolsey child of Wayne and Addie to be born in Oregon. He was a caring father and brother, as family was the most important thing to him. He always had a joke or a funny story to share with anyone who stopped by to visit him.

Growing up he spent much of his time hunting and fishing to help feed his family, as well as picking hops and other odd jobs. He attended Fort Vannoy school and jokingly told his children that he was the 1951 Yo-Yo Champion. And, he had the vest to prove it! In 1959, he graduated from Grants Pass High School where he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball and lettered three times.

He started his logging career between his Junior and Senior year of high school, and in 1971, started his own logging company, Woodland Logging. He continued logging with his sons until 1990 when he retired. Then he became an avid gardener supplying his family and neighbors with an abundance of delicious vegetables. He was known most for his tomatoes and corn.

Ollie loved to hunt with his brothers, sons, and friends. In 1960 they began going by horseback many miles into the Idaho wilderness to reach their “elk camp”. Good times were had by all, and this is where he harvested a 7-point bull elk which he was very proud of. The horns still hang in the family home above the fireplace.

Ollie also loved to fish for salmon on the Rogue River. He loved to take his family and friends down the river, which resulted in many days of memories that he cherished. He loved his children and grandchildren whom he was very proud of.

He married Sandra Wall October 8, 1960, who passed on February 24, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, Vilas, Nadell, Hilda, Peggy and Betty; four brothers, Darrell, Donald, Denver, and Noyes.

He is survived by his three children, Kevin (Kym) Woolsey, Kory Woolsey and Karie (Mike) Gibson; four grandchildren, Kallie (Trent), Kale (Sara), Kelsey and Mikayla; one great grandchild, Avery Lynn; his brother Gary (Julie) Woolsey, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at Jerome Prairie Community Hall, 5368 Redwood Ave., Grants Pass, on Saturday March 19, 2022, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. All his family and friends are welcome to stop by to visit and share memories. Please contact Hull & Hull Funeral Directors for more information.