S/MSGT Douglas Staley

S/MSGT Douglas Staley, United States Air Force, passed away at the age of 93 on Friday, November 3rd, 2017 in Mesa, Arizona. He was born on March 11, 1924 in Ottumwa, South Dakota to Daisy (Hardin) and George Staley. He grew up in Pierre, South Dakota and was raised by his mother and stepfather John Billmier, with his seven Staley siblings Emma (Howe), George, William, Everett, Gladys (Jones), Dorothy (Jones), and Larry. He married Hazel Urquhart on August 6th, 1948 in Seattle Washington. He adopted her son Elden and had three more children; Carmella, Kevin and Lynn. After tours in Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand as a jet engine mechanic and instructor, Douglas retired with 30 years of service out of Williams Air Force Base and lived in Gilbert, Arizona. He lived surrounded by many friends and family who shared his love of country music, and was known to frequent dance halls throughout the valley. He loved teaching Sunday school and was guided daily by his faith after being baptized at age 14 and accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He is preceded in death by his parents Daisy, George and John, siblings Everett, George, Emma, William, and Gladys, wife Hazel, son Elden, and great grand-daughter Hope Ashlynn Staley. He is survived by his siblings Dorothy and Larry, his children Carmella, Kevin (Jan) and Lynn (Sandy), grand-children Robert, Earl and Richard Staley, Angel Duncan (Farley) and Heidi Harlow (Gladfelter), and Lynn Staley Jr, and great-grandchildren Madison, Dillon, and Justin Harlow, Shelby Duncan, Bronson and Grace Staley, Nicholas Staley and Daniel Critchlow, and Isabella Staley. A memorial for Douglas will take place on Thursday, November 9th 2017 from 9:30-10:30am at Mariposa Gardens Chapel www.mariposagardens.com with burial at Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe to follow at 12:00pm. In lieu of flowers,the family suggests a donation to the Honor Flight Network. www.honorflight.org .