Esther Lee Wollam

Esther Lee McGonagle Wollam 

3 April 1929 to 25 July 2024

Esther Lee McGonagle Wollam (95) departed this life for her heavenly home on Thursday the 25 July 2024. She most recently resided with her son, Randy and his wife Shari Wollam, in their home near Garland.

 Esther Lee McGonagle was born 3 Apr 1929 in Powell, Wyoming to Jesse T. and Ada L. (Birney) McGonagle. She was welcomed by her older sister, Marie. She was a graduate of Powell High school, Class of 1947.

 Esther was united in marriage to Jay P Wollam on the 1 June 1947 in Powell, Wyoming. They met at the local roller-skating rink. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Randy and Sherry.

 They first resided in Cody, Wyoming. In 1958 they purchased a farm near Heart Mountain where they built their home. The house they built there began with one of the buildings from the Heart Mountain relocation center. They added a large picture window that perfectly framed Heart Mountain. After Jay retired from farming, they built a home and lived for a time on the South Fork near Cody. They liked to spend winters touring in Mexico in their camper. In About 1980 they left Wyoming to make Arizona their home.

 Esther’s husband Jay joined the Lord in his heavenly home on 6 Oct 2015.

 In 2022, unable to live alone, Esther returned to Wyoming from her retirement home in Arizona to be lovingly cared for by her son Randy, and his wife Shari.

 Esther enjoyed keeping busy. She was a good housekeeper and kept her house spotless. When they were farming, she helped where she could, such as driving the beet truck. She collected seashells during their travels and did crafts with them. She wrote many letters to friends and family to brighten their day. She liked to share jokes, to make people smile. She believed laughter was the best medicine. She was known as the Joke Lady in her retirement community. 

 She always had a dog. They had Boxers, Pomeranians, Pekingese, and Chihuahuas. She loved her dogs. She liked to collect antiques.

 She was a devout Christian and had a great love for her Savior Jesus Christ. She and her husband assisted a couple of sisters on a mission for a few years. She was raised in the Methodist Faith and raised her children in the Baptist Faith.

 She was preceded in death by her husband Jay P Wollam, daughter Sherry Wheeler, son-in-law Danny Wheeler, parents J. T. & Ada McGonagle, infant brother Jesse McGonagle and sister Marie Grant.

 She is survived by her son Randy (Shari) Wollam. Her 5 grandchildren Tuesdee (Brett) Oswood, Trevon (Misty) Wollam, Shawna (Louis) Bradshaw, Dana (Travis) McDermott, and Kimberly (Bart) Becher, her 11 great-grandchildren, Ashton (Makala) Wollam, Tyler Wollam, Morgan Wollam, Louis M. (Natalie) Bradshaw, Ryan Bradshaw, Kendall (Luke) Dickey, Haley (Hudson) Roling, Wyatt McDermott, Cullen Becher, Ethan Becher, Caydence Becher, and 6 great great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 Esther was cremated and will be laid to rest beside her husband in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona.

A celebration of life for Esther Wollam will be held at a later date.