Edmond William Fey, born in 1914 on Whidbey Island to Louise (Dassel) and H. Otto Fey, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at the age of 99, at Hospice of Arizona in Peoria.

His younger years were spent partly in Everett and later in South Whidbey. He often reminisced about a boyhood rich with family, good friends, interesting characters, hunting and fishing.

After graduating from Langley High School in 1932, he sailed himself to Seattle to enlist in the U.S. Navy, in which he served until 1954, reaching the rank of chief yeoman. His career included duty in ports from China to the Mediterranean. He worked in Naval Intelligence in Germany after WWII, finishing his career at the Navy recruiting office in Seattle.

He married Sophie in 1948, and upon retirement from the Navy, settled in Bellevue, Wash., to raise his family. His transition to civilian life included many interesting ventures. He co-owned and operated the Cozy Corner and Interbay Taverns in Seattle, briefly tried his hand selling Watkins products, mega-vitamins and cemetery plots, worked as a sewing machine repairman, and spent a year working on a Titan missile installation in Idaho. He eventually settled in the life insurance and securities industries, in which he continued to be active until his early 80s.

At the age of 78, he had a house built in Payson, Ariz., to live in the land of the Westerns he loved to read, and lived there on his own until the age of 96, when he moved to the Majestic Rim retirement community in Payson.

He was predeceased by his wife, Sophie in 1989, his brother Alfred Fey, his sister Gertrude Daharsh, and his daughter-in-law Barbara Fey.

He is survived by his sister Dolores Mallory, Somerton, Ariz.; son Edmond O. and daughter-in-law Catherine Fey, Vestal, NY; son Alan J. Fey, Glendale, Ariz.; grandchildren Karl, Kevin, Lydia Fey; Daniel Fey, Kathleen and Anthony Armstrong, David Fey and Kate; great-grandchildren Caleb and Josiah Armstrong, Hunter, Draik, and Maverick Fey; and many nieces and nephews.

Ed had an optimistic and positive outlook on life and was always interested in learning. He kept himself healthy with his daily walks. He grew spiritually, and became a deeply committed Christian at the age of 90. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday Aug. 23, 2013, at the Island Church of Whidbey, Langley.

Please consider memorial contributions in Ed’s memory to Hospice of Arizona.