George Lewis “Lou” Grady, 66, died Dec. 25, 2003, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at South Whidbey Assembly of God, followed by a celebration of his life at the Clinton Progressive Hall. Interment will be in Langley Cemetery.

He was born in Foster, Okla., to Lloyd and Beulah Grady, and had five brothers and a sister. When he quit school at age 14 to help support his family he began a career in the carpentry business. During this time he dated Mary Wimberly for several years. A week after her high school graduation they were married. They had two children, Nanette and Greg.

In 1967 they moved from California to Whidbey Island. He was employed for several years at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as a civilian carpenter foreman. He later became involved in chainsaw carving, and owned and operated Island Carvings, Clinton. He loved attending the many competitions his daughter and son-in-law participated in. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, camping and gardening. He loved watching his grandchildren grow, he loved to tease them, and he had a memorable smile.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Beulah Grady; a brother, Tommy; and his mother-in-law, Fran Wimberly.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; a daughter, Nanette Backus, and Steve; a son, Greg Grady, and Marie; five grandchildren, Cory Knutsen, Chelsey Backus, Boone Backus, Hannah Grady and Mitchell Grady; a great-grandchild, Crehan Knutsen; a brother-in-law, Bob Wimberly, and Audrey; a sister-in-law, Jeannette Kelley, and Bob; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visser Funeral Home, Langley, is in charge of arrangements.