Gary Gene Wooley, 88, of East Peoria, Illinois, passed away February 1, 2023 in his winter home in Sun Lakes AZ. He was born in Moultrie County Illinois on October 11, 1934 to Bernard and Lorena (Cowell) Wooley.
Gary graduated from Mt. Zion High School class of 1952 before enlisting with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, serving on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska for two years. He then enrolled at Eastern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. He then went on to obtain his Masters of Science degree from Missouri School of Science and Technology in Rolla Missouri in Physics. Following a few months working for the Food and Drug Administration, he took a job as a teacher in District 150 in Peoria, Illinois where he taught Physics and Math at Peoria Manual High school until his retirement in 1993.
Gary married Leta Jean Bridges on June 6, 1964 at First Methodist Church of Decatur Illinois and they enjoyed 58 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife (Leta Wooley), two daughters (Mary (Jeff) Davis of Downs, IL and Nancy (Chris) Willems of Scottsdale, AZ) and 5 grandchildren (Trevor Willems (Chicago, Illinois), Jack Willems (Tempe, Arizona), Ryan Willems (Scottsdale, Arizona), Katelyn Davis (Downs, Illinois), and Zac Davis (Downs, Illinois)). He is also survived by his sister Sandra (William) Fisher of Princeton, Illinois and half siblings (Bryan Poole of Bloomington, Illinois, Derald (Christina) Wooley of Lovington, Illinois and Gaye Anne Adrian of Findlay, Illinois).
Gary enjoyed many pastimes over the years – he was heavily involved in Street Rodding which included building, driving, and showing them all over the states. He had a passion for the “Deuce Coupe” but had many other interesting cars he enjoyed over the years including a Fiat Topolino, 1948 Hudson, 1963 Studebaker Avanti, and some of his first cars were Corvettes, including a 1953 and 1957. Gary enjoyed the outdoor activities like deer hunting, walking the woods mushroom hunting, and the trips to the mountains of Telluride.
Memorials may be made on his behalf to Willow Hill United Methodist Church 304 E. Far Hills Drive, East Peoria IL 61611 where he was a charter member.
A Celebration of Life service will be at Willow Hill on Saturday May 13 at 2:00 pm and all that knew and loved Gary are welcome to attend.
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