Watson Ley
March 24, 1919 — January 21, 2011
VAN WERT, Ohio - Watson N. Ley, 91, of Van Wert, Ohio, went to be with his Lord on Jan. 21, 2011, at 2:30 p.m. at the Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert, Ohio.
He was born March 24, 1919, to Phillip J. and Clara (Johnson) Ley in Ridge Township, both who preceded him in death.
On March 22, 1941, he married Esther Mae Summersett, his loving wife for 69 years, who survives. Other survivors include a son, Dr. John C. (Vicki) Ley of Colorado Springs, Colorado and a daughter, Ruth Ann (Jack) Boley of Van Wert., four grandchildren, Dr. Brian C. (Rochelle) Ley of Burlington, Colorado, Michael (Naomi) Ley of Willcox, Arizona, Amy J. Boley of Lima, Ohio. and Gregory (Arleen) Boley of Convoy, Ohio. Also seven great grandchildren, Caden Ley, Jacqueline Ley, London Ley, Bode Ley, Elleanna Ley, Courtney Boley and Andrew Boley. One brother, Dr. Dean E. Ley of Syracuse, Indiana, also survives. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene F. Ley and Dr. Gordon R. Ley.
Mr. Ley was a past member of the Middle Point Methodist Church where he was choir director, Sunday School teacher and a Boy Scout Master. More recently he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Van Wert where he was a member of the board of trustees when he chaired two building renovations.
During his lifetime he served on the boards of the Methodist Theological School, the Starr Commonwealth, Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert County Foundation, Van Wert National Bank and Wassenberg Art Center. He was also a member of Rotary International and several national farm equipment organizations.
Mr. Ley loved Big Band music and was active in the music department of Middle Point High School where he graduated in 1937. He was a farmer, a feed salesman and turkey farmer which led to his interest in designing and manufacturing Harvest Hopper Wagons.
He started his own company, Ley Equipment Co., in 1952 in Middle Point and later expanded the business and product lines when he moved the business to Van Wert in 1962. The product lines expanded to feeding and waste removal equipment used in poultry and swine buildings sold in the United States and worldwide.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, at the Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, Ohio, with calling from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. The Revs. Dillon Staas and Paul Miller will officiate. Burial will in the Ridge Cemetery near Middle Point, Ohio.
Preferred memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Van Wert County Foundation.