Enos Woollen, Jr., 81

Enos W. (Wes) Woollen, Jr., 81, died July 30, 2006.

Services were held at Flahiff Funeral Chapel on Aug. 5 in Caldwell.

Wes was born on Sept. 24, 1925 in Pacifica, Mo. He was raised in Lonedale, Mo., and moved to Union, Mo., during high school. He graduated from Union High School in 1941.

In 1943 he met and married his sweetheart, Paulyne Lawrence.

Wes enlisted in the Merchant Marines and Army, spending several years in service during WWII.

Wes moved his young family to Idaho in 1947, together with Paulyne's sister, Joanne, and her husband, Wayne. They first lived in Meridian and later moved to Nampa then Glenns Ferry.

In Glenns Ferry they raised their three daughters and made many happy memories, his family said, noting that the family loved to spend time in the mountains and go fishing when possible.

"One of his daughters' and granddaughters' favorite memories is going to the dump in the old '54 green truck and then going to the Stop for ice cream," his family said.

By that time Wes had been hired by the Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman and he spent over 20 years working between Glenns Ferry and Shoshone, Wood River and Huntington. "These were some of the best years of his life as he spent time with his friends on the railroad 'swapping lies' and telling stories. Could he ever spin a yarn," his family said.

As many railroad workers did, Wes spent numerous hours playing cards with his friends. He was also an avid woodworker and his wood projects are still cherished by his family.

Wes started his career with the Union Pacific in 1947, retiring in 1988 after 40 years of service.

Wes is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Paulyne, of Meridian; his daughters, Donna York (Jim) of Ontario, Ore., Anne Bowlden (Lee) of Mountain Home, Paula Rice (Russell) of Great Falls, Mont.; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters.