George Wadley

George Lee “Boots” Wadley, 70, passed away April 18 with his family by his side at his home in Camarillo, Calif., after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Biloxi, Miss., Sept. 3, 1942 and was raised by his father, George Lee Wadley Jr. As a young child Boots and his father moved to Oklahoma and enjoyed the love and support of a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins. He was especially proud of his Choctaw Indian heritage, and he passed that pride on to his children. Boots earned a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy from Northeastern Oklahoma University in Tahlequah in 1966, and a master’s degree in audiology in 1970 from Texas Tech University, Lubbock. He practiced speech therapy in Kansas and North Carolina, and audiology in Florida and Washington State. In Washington, he began the adventure of owning his own company providing onsite hearing conservation and testing services to companies throughout the state. Boots made a career change in 1978, after earning a second master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene and Safety at the University of Washington, Seattle. He spent the rest of his career devoted to the field. He held positions at the Tennessee Valley Authority in Alabama and Long Beach Naval Shipyard. In 1983 he began a career with the Navy in Ventura County that continued until his retirement in 2007. Throughout those years he supported safety at both Port Hueneme and Point Mugu, culminating his career as Safety Manager for Naval Base Ventura County. He enjoyed the variety of the work, the people, and especially his ability to contribute to their safety. Boots was a longtime resident of California and considered it home after moving to the state in 1982. He loved the climate, the beach and the relaxed lifestyle and beauty. He loved people and loved to have a good time. He was always a “Don’t worry, be happy, looking on the good side, glass always at least half-full“ man. Boots loved watching Sam and Sofie, his Golden Retrievers roam free at the dog park. He was an avid sports fan with the Raiders and Lakers his favorites. Boots cherished his friends and considered those at the American Legion, Post 741 in Camarillo to be among the best. His military service was with the Air Force Reserves. Boots loved his family above all and had grand plans to travel together in the coming months. The family recently took the opportunity to make a trip in September to Bridgeport, in Northern California for a Clamper gathering; their best road trip ever. He is preceded in death by his father George Lee Wadley Jr. and stepmother Marie Wadley. Boots will be deeply missed by his wife Linda of 46 years, children Kathy Wadley and Lee Wadley of Camarillo, cousins Cindy Tucker, Greg Wadley and wife Betsy, Tim Wadley and wife Linda, Marc Bowman and wife Judy, sisters-in-law Terry Guido, Carol Ogden and Nancy Kilmer and husband Dan; many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends. A memorial to celebrate Boots’ life will be held Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. at the Perez Family Funeral Home, 1347 Del Norte Road in Camarillo, Calif.