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Bill (Billy Ray) Dalley at the age of 87 passed peacefully at his residence in Clovis while surrounded by his family. The memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church in Portales, NM, Thursday, November 29th at 1:30 PM with Pastor Mark McAfee officiating and assisted by Rev. Amy Jordan. Following the service, friends and family are invited for refreshments and visiting in the Fellowship Hall. A private family burial will precede the memorial service at the Portales Cemetery.
Bill was born January 1, 1931 in Davis, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by parents, Edwin Doyle and Minnie Lee Powell Dalley, and brother, James Boyd Dalley. He is survived by his wife Alta Dalley, son Don (Ronda) Dalley of Clovis, NM, daughter Diane (Steve) Harris of Roswell, NM, daughter Sherri (Mark) McAfee of Portales, NM, and brother Norvell (Mary) Dalley of Sulphur, OK. He is also survived by grandchildren: Michael (Kristi) Dalley, Shannon (Chris) Mosier, Landon (Mackenzie) Dalley, Taylor (Lindsey) Harris, Brandon McAfee, Lane Harris, Collin McAfee, and great grandchildren: Addison, Ezra, Aiden, and Micah.
Bill attended 12 years of school in Davis where he participated in football, basketball, and track and worked at the family business delivering coal and ice. Bill was an Eagle Scout and after graduation he attended East Central Oklahoma College where he was a walk-on football player. He was then offered a scholarship and played freshman through senior year. After graduating from college with a Master of Education, Bill was drafted on January 3, 1954 by the Army and served as Private First Class with the 936th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on September 24, 1954.
On August 6, 1954 he married the love of his life, Alta Hamilton in Elida, NM. They made their home in Portales where Bill was employed by the Portales Schools as High School Counselor/Educator for 36 years. They attended church at FUMC. In their 62 years of marriage they traveled the 50 states, Canada, and parts of Europe. They built eight homes and helped their children build five more. They square danced with the Starlight Swingers for 13 years.
Bill was an avid collector/restorer of antique wood and metal windmills. This hobby led to his founding of the International Windmill Trade Fair and was hosted in Portales for the first three years. The Fair is now held annually throughout the US. He loved tinkering and creating with “junk” of which his family lovingly agreed and sometimes supported. He loved spending time with friends and family.
The family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.
Guestbook Entries
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So sorry to hear of Bill’s death. He was a very special person, strongly committed to community, church and schools. He helped make Portales a place to stay and raise children. I use to enjoy meeting him on morning walks and seeing his windmills.great person! Jan Frost
Janet frost
Portales, NM -
Bill has been a good friend for many years. He volunteered a lot and liked to get things done. The windmill museum was a real joy to the neigherhood. He will be missed by many.
Bill and Ruth Wood
Portales, NM -
I love your family and are so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Mr. Dalley. You were a very good and kind man.
Suzanne Cooper
Lubbock, TX -
I always loved checking out Bills and Altas windmills. Then when I was County Commissioner, I got to know them , when they wanted to donate them to Roosevelt County. Loved going to their house and visiting and working with Bill. A very special man!
Bill Cathey
Dora, NM -
I remember when he lived in Miss Holland's tiny house by the big elm tree while he built your new house. Lots of great memories as neighbors to my grandparents! God bring you peace. Terry
Terry Warnica
Portales, NM -
Alta, praying for you and your family to know God's love and comforting touch - especially during this difficult time.
Diane Dickerman
Fort Sumner, NM -
Mr. Daley was kind & helpful to me in HS. His thoughtful & caring attention to my teen woes made a positive impression. To the family, thank you for the time he devoted to kids at school. May God grant you peace, calm, & the best memories now.
Bennie Jo Roberts
Lovington, NM -
James and Theressa Bradley
, NM -
Many good memories of our times together, our church family, McDonald’s, lifting me up after my husband’s death. Love & prayers to Alta and all the family.
Jane Henry
Carrollton, TX -
Prayers and Blessings on the family. So sorry to hear this news.
Jack Batson
Roswell, NM -
Diane, praying for you and the family in your time of need for comfort. Love looking at your daddy’s windmills!! Blessings!
Nelda Massey
Roswell, NM -
My sincere condolences to Bill's family. He was a special friend to many of us for a number of years. May God bless each of you with His love and peace as you treasure your precious memories.
Sherrye Burleson
Portales, NM
Condolences(12)
Sign GuestbookJanet frost
Sunday, December 2, 2018Portales, NM
So sorry to hear of Bill’s death. He was a very special person, strongly committed to community, church and schools. He helped make Portales a place to stay and raise children. I use to enjoy meeting him on morning walks and seeing his windmills.great person! Jan Frost
Bill and Ruth Wood
Thursday, November 29, 2018Portales, NM
Bill has been a good friend for many years. He volunteered a lot and liked to get things done. The windmill museum was a real joy to the neigherhood. He will be missed by many.
Suzanne Cooper
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Lubbock, TX
I love your family and are so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Mr. Dalley. You were a very good and kind man.
Bill Cathey
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Dora, NM
I always loved checking out Bills and Altas windmills. Then when I was County Commissioner, I got to know them , when they wanted to donate them to Roosevelt County. Loved going to their house and visiting and working with Bill. A very special man!
Terry Warnica
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Portales, NM
I remember when he lived in Miss Holland's tiny house by the big elm tree while he built your new house. Lots of great memories as neighbors to my grandparents! God bring you peace. Terry
Diane Dickerman
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Fort Sumner, NM
Alta, praying for you and your family to know God's love and comforting touch - especially during this difficult time.
Bennie Jo Roberts
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Lovington, NM
Mr. Daley was kind & helpful to me in HS. His thoughtful & caring attention to my teen woes made a positive impression. To the family, thank you for the time he devoted to kids at school. May God grant you peace, calm, & the best memories now.
James and Theressa Bradley
Tuesday, November 27, 2018, NM
Jane Henry
Tuesday, November 27, 2018Carrollton, TX
Many good memories of our times together, our church family, McDonald’s, lifting me up after my husband’s death. Love & prayers to Alta and all the family.
Jack Batson
Monday, November 26, 2018Roswell, NM
Prayers and Blessings on the family. So sorry to hear this news.
Nelda Massey
Monday, November 26, 2018Roswell, NM
Diane, praying for you and the family in your time of need for comfort. Love looking at your daddy’s windmills!! Blessings!
Sherrye Burleson
Monday, November 26, 2018Portales, NM
My sincere condolences to Bill's family. He was a special friend to many of us for a number of years. May God bless each of you with His love and peace as you treasure your precious memories.