James "Jim" Wolery

James Leslie Wolery of Payette, eager to enter the arms of his sweet wife, Linda Wolery, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 21st , 2025. Loyal to family to the very end, he did not pass into the next life before all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren had the chance to say their goodbyes.

Jim met Linda as a cashier working at Albertsons in Ontario, shortly after they fell in love they were married and built a beautiful life in Payette with their children. Jim and Linda were married for 56 years before she passed; they are now honored with a living legacy of 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Papa’s life was one of devoted duty and sacrifice for his entire family, blood related or not.

After leaving Albertsons, he worked at Coca-Cola for 10 years. Jim was a hard worker and loyal employee; his commitment to Coca-Cola ran deep. Everyone in his family knew never to say the “P” word (Pepsi) around grandpa and that “stuff” was never to enter his house. If he went to a restaurant that didn’t serve Coke, he was ready to get up and leave. His time with Coke was followed by 26 years as a delivery driver for UPS out of Payette.

His kids and grandkids can still recall his rough cracked hands from his long days of delivering boxes. Rather than make a fuss, he was always content to wrap them in duct tape and carry on without complaint. At the age of 62, he settled into a well-deserved retirement only to embrace his greatest life’s work as a devoted grandfather.

All of his grandchildren have the fondest of memories of being babysat by grandpa and grandma in their quaint country home. Playing in grandpa’s treehouse, catching crawdads in the canal, and an ever-abundant presence of warm conversation made for all the childhood magic a kid could ever hope for. No one was ever too busy for you at G&G Wolery’s house, every nook and cranny of their cozy Payette home was filled with love and fun/crazy family memories.

Papa had a great sense of humor; he was notorious for scaring people. He never missed an opportunity to jump out from behind a door or pull out one of his Halloween masks for a good scare. It didn’t matter who you were – if you visited the Wolery house you could count on getting a good scare before you left. When he wasn’t at home with his grandbabies, he attended every activity and sporting event his family participated in, he never missed one if he could help it. He was a very passionate fan and he wasn’t afraid to call out players and refs when he saw fit. There was never anything more important to grandpa than his family; he spent his life sacrificing for his loved ones and he never would have had it any other way. He didn’t live life for himself, but for the joy and happiness of others. It was in his selfless nature to receive his greatest smiles through the joy of his family.

It is hard to convey the silent warrior that Grandpa was, he never sought attention or glory for himself. He simply did what needed to be done and loved with all of his heart. Papa will forever be cherished for his gentle spirit, unconditional kindness and warm support. He never knew a stranger, it wasn’t uncommon for grandpa to disappear into a grocery store for hours getting caught up in conversations, sometimes with people he’d never met before.

Grandpa was never one to make anyone feel criticized. His love and acceptance for his family spread to any and all that were invited within the walls of his home. Everyone that visited felt a true sense of belonging with the Wolery’s. Death has a way of reminding us what papa knew all along; that it is the people in our lives that matter, and the opportunity to love them is our greatest privilege and honor. Papa, thank you for filling us to the brim with your unending love. We’ll never stop feeling your support or giving it to others the way you taught us to through your example. We’ll save a spot for you on every bleacher and in every auditorium.

Jim is survived by his children: Jamie (Rod) Willet, Traci (Jeremy) Sweet, Kelly (Becky) Wolery, Jerry (Shannon) Wolery and Lesli (Chris) Willet; Grandchildren: Tanner and Tobby White, Shayla Crocker, Woody Thomas, Bailey Jamison, Wyatt Sweet, Tyler Hewitt, Jordan Wolery, Sidni Durham, Matlin Wolery, Lacie, Rylee, Keegan and Colby Willet; 14 great -grandchildren; Brother, Gene Wolery and Sister, June Robertson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Wolery and great-grandson, Dallas White.

Memorial Services will be held at 4pm, October 25th at the R&L Event Center, 633 2nd Ave. S., Payette.