Amos Ensley, 75, a resident of the Punkin Center community near Hamilton passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, WA after a long hard fight with cancer.
Amos was born on June 18, 1933 in Sylva, North Carolina, one of ten children of Luther & Mary Jane Queen Ensley. He was raised in Sylva until the mid 1940’s when his family moved to Skagit County, settling near Hamilton. He attended school in Hamilton and Sedro-Woolley.
On May 9, 1952 he was united in marriage to Ethel Ashe in Mount Vernon and they made their home on Cockreham Island near Lyman where Amos operated an 80 head dairy farm for many years. After farming he split shakes at Richard Nelles’ shake mill for several more years. After his retirement he helped Ron Kaaland plow fields and maintain his farm land, just for something to do. Amos also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing and hanging out at the plunkin’ shack on the Skagit River fishing with his buddy Jim Adkerson.
Amos is survived by his daughter, Robin Wood and her companion, Pat Wheeler of Punkin Center. Seven grandchildren, Donnie Ensley and his wife, Kristi, Jay Ensley and his companion, Shannon, Corrine Ensley and her fiancée, Vidal, Ronnie Ensley and his companion, Larrissa, Sarah Ensley, Ryan Buchanan and his fiancée, Nikki and Rusty Buchanan. Five great-grandchildren, Gabe, Brittany, Spencer, Morgan and Ashley and a great-great-granddaughter, Adisynne. His companion of eight years, Bobbie Ashe of Punkin Center; his brother, JB Ensley of Sedro-Woolley; a brother-in-law, Ben Ashe of Sedro-Woolley and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel in 2000; two sons, Ron in 2003 and Randal in 2007; 4 brothers and 4 sisters.
The Ensley family extends a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Houshang Shetabi and Bruce Mathey and all of their caring staff at North Puget Cancer Care for their love and support. Memorials in memory of Amos are suggested to the North Puget Cancer Center, 2000 Hospital Dr., Sedro-Woolley.
A Graveside Service for Amos will be held on Monday, May 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Hamilton Cemetery with Pastor Joseph Miller of the Sedro-Woolley Community Church officiating. A potluck fellowship will follow the service at the Lyman City Hall. Visitation for Amos will be available Wednesday thru Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Monday from 9am to noon.
Services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.