Wesley Eugene Halsey

Gene was widowed in 2012 when the love of his life, Betty, was called home to heaven; (Elizabeth Lee Chambers Halsey). Their idyllic marriage was an example of true love & partnership to all. Upon retirement Gene & Betty enjoyed homes in the Ocala National Forest FL & Nantahala Forest in Franklin, NC, where they spent spring & summer in Honelowee.

Born 1939 in Roper, NC to Wesley Edwin Halsey & Iva Beatrice Hartley. At 14, he moved to Tampa, FL residing with his beloved Uncle Cotton & Aunt Esther Hartley, and their 3 girls, (Ann, Eleanor, Sue) who became sisters to Gene & his siblings. Brother Bill & Sister Elaine, (William Morris Halsey of Tampa & Elaine Halsey Schichtle of Oklahoma) spent time together with Gene in Franklin, NC & loved sharing their childhood stories down on their Grandmother’s farm, (Virginia Snell Halsey).

Gene graduated from Plant High School in 1957, where he was most known for his prowess on the dance floor & for falling in love with Betty. For 22 years his career was with Automotive Warehouse in Tampa, also serving as a Comptroller for General Welding. Later Gene retired from CED / Raybro Electrical Supply.

Although an avid outdoorsman, his FAVORITE past-time was nurturing & providing for his family. When he wasn’t on his John Deere, Gene created lifetime experiences for them - horses, dune buggies, gunmanship, fishing, hunting & more. He was a Youth Leader w/ Lutz United Methodist Church, coached Lutz Little League & was a Boy Scout Troop Leader.

In recent years Gene marveled at friendships far & wide with nieces, nephews, cousins, childhood friends, neighbors, & dear colleagues via Facebook. He spoke daily of these treasured relationships.

Gene was an active member of Egypt Temple Shrine since 1975; while serving as a member of the Horse Patrol, he developed life-long friendships.

Gene & Betty had two children, Wes & Tammy who both reside in Tampa, (Wesley Eugene Halsey, II & Tamsen Lynn Halsey Mittelman). Gene has 5 beloved grandchildren including Wes’ children: Adam, Ben, Tesa Crawford and “little Wes” Halsey (dec’d 2001); & Tammy’s daughter Courtney Lynn Canada Couturier; plus 5 great-grandchildren Nichole, Gavin, Harper, Oliver, & Alonna.

In lieu of flowers, Gene requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Tampa, FL.

Memorial Services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood, 3207 W Bearss Avenue, Tampa, FL 33618; family will start receiving guests at 1pm. All are invited to gather at Courtney’s home in Odessa following services.