Do You Like Chicago? Perhaps, It Depends On Your Point Of View.

Eighty Three years ago, on Oct. 30th, "Phyllis", a gal from Nephi, Utah wrote a letter to LaVon Harris, to tell her of the beautiful city of Chicago. At the time Al Capone had been out of illegal brew for ten years, but Phyllis saw only the beauty. That could have been that she only knew of the good work that she was being taught during her time in the 4-H Club. Her views are different than my first visit to Chicago in 1974. I wanted to see where Mayor Daley had his office, and on my way, I watched a young 14 year old kid try to snatch an elderly woman's purse, who resisted. He pulled out a handgun bigger than himself and shot her in the back and fled. As I tried to give comfort to the dying woman, I watched where the kid ran. Shoppers were annoyed that I laid her down on the sidewalk, in front of them. Nobody offered help until a police officer ran across the street, who had heard the shot. She died in my arms while back up officers arrived. The cops followed me as I sprinted toward the dead end alley where the kid hid. I saw him behind garbage cans, and I grabbed him and threw him against the wall and demanded to know where the gun was. I wasn't used to this type of violence in Utah, and I assume "Phyllis" wasn't either. Although it wasn't until later that I nearly wet my levis, the officers were  a little amazed by the blatant disregard for my own safety. Although Chicago police officers were trying to keep me from further violence on the juvenile, he told me where he threw the gun, and admitted "he had to kill her, as she wouldn't give up her purse". I knew the Miranda Warning well, but didn't follow it. I had no interest in going back to Chicago until I was on an assignment and had the chance to see Soldier Stadium, and the Art Galleries of Chicago. But like Phyllis wrote in her letter, "But to come right down to it, I wouldn't trade Utah for all of Chicago".

Please Rise-Judge Sharla Tolley Williams has been promoted to a higher position.

Judge Sharla Tolley passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. That was following complications from triple by-pass surgery. We attended her viewing and gravesides services today. Knowing Sharla, she wouldn't have wanted a bigger deal out of it. She just wanted her remains to be by her folks-Bill and Elda Tolley; grandparents and great grandparents. Her wish came true and while her granddaughter played the violin, off in the distance, we counted a 21 gun salute. Although it was just at the nearby rifle range, my guess is that her grandfather had something to do with that blend, as he(Uncle Hy) was the father of the "Dry Tolley Humor" that was passed down, as Sharla used it on and off the bench. She served as Justice Court Judge in Juab County, Nephi, Levan, Santaquin, Goshen and Genola, Utah. If you watched her at work, she used that Tolley Heart and Judiciary savy to make things fair and equal for all that came before her. She was loved and respected by all, and that was demonstrated today with the Pallbearers being law enforcement officers from Nephi City; Juab County Sheriffs and Utah Highway Patrol. They additionally lite the way to the cemetery. Her other passions was her family; music; season ticket holder to Hale Theater; monthly dinner with her high school girlfriends and just plain fun. Although I never attended any of the many marriages she performed, my guess would be she would ask if the new couple were really ready for that giant leap. Her great grandfather-Wm Fisher Tolley was directed to Juab County by Brigham Young to help build the road between Ft. Green and Nephi. Side jobs for him included being a Probate Judge and helping to Marshall in bad guys with Orrin Porter Rockwell. If you got thick glasses, you may find part of the Tolley Family History which included three wives named Sarah! So Sharla, congratulations on your promotion. God couldn't have chosen a better Administrative Law Judge for some of our family members that remain Hellions in Heaven! 

93 Birthday Roses Are Requested For Joyce Pay

You still have time, but just so you know, Joyce Coulson Pay will turn a young 93 years old on Nov. 30, 2020. At present, she is staying where ever she wants to, most of which is with kids in Mona. Other homes were in Ft. Green where she was born; Nephi, raising five kids, and now Mona. But she knows her real home is in that Heavenly Sphere where her husband-Gordon Pay has been since 1981. This writer could feel her glee when she learned that Gordon has finally learned how to dance, so she better practice the Nephi two step before she transcends. Like many youngins, Sgt. Gordon passed through the shadow of death at age 59. It was a cancer, but if you dig deep with a yet to be invented Cancer Locater, it is possible that in 1942, while in the 25th Division of Battery "A" 145th Battalion, his work with Chemical Warfare could have handed him a hidden death agent. In war time, he knew how to handle a 105 m.m. Howitzer. When he returned to Nephi, his cannon was a fishing pole and a power arm pitcher for Nephi's baseball team, always keeping his jacket on. They played in the grandstand that was in the northeast portion of the Juab Fairgrounds. Joyce was born a red head, and teased by boys in Ft. Green, but not for long! She knew how to throw a knuckle curve to a young boy, and thereafter stood her ground, and proved it to me yesterday. She wasn't going to stand for my questioning about my BS of a missing 87 cents when she worked as the Juab County Treasurer for several years. She has always had fondness for the American soldier as her Dad was one during WWI, and her mother and Dad made bullets and parachutes during WWII. Joyce also worked at home; a cashier at Tri-State Lumber, Toggery and Ralphs Market. She pretended she could sing with her young friends in Ft. Green and the family photo in 1981 got the title of "Singing Osmonds". Her favorite US leader is President Trump; favorite LDS Leader is David O. McKay and best friends include Elaine Llewellyn, Iona Sperry and Ruth Zabriskie. Although her husband was a home body, they ventured to Alaska with Ross and Alice Newton. The last few years, she has did some pond hopping to England; three trips to Hawaii; several more to Alaska, and loved the rolling green hills of Ireland, but nothing could beat heading to West Juab, camping with her family in the beautiful Sagebrush, a thing city folks will never understand. She is very nervous about the future of America. When asked which of her kids-Michael, Brenda, Linda, Allen or Donna was her favorite, she responded much like most parents-it depended on the day! Her favorite thing as a kid was swinging in the barn, but loved riding her bike. Her Dad was a coal miner, who made her mind her P's and Q's, by whipping...no, not her, but her bike. It got her attention but still has her spunk. I haven't spoke much to Mrs. Pay for 50 years are so, but yesterday, I recognized she was still the Joyce of yesteryear when we were neighbors in the Old North Ward. Although her sight is not the best, I could see her soul through her eyes, and I think she felt how much I loved her and Gordon-a hard working; strong, and good man. For her birthday, she presented hand stitched quilts to each of her family-93. A Pay of Nephi and a Coulson of Ft. Green is what we call a perfect blend made forever.