Edmond Ellsworth Woolley

• A Life Anchored by Love 
• By Kayla Garver 
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• Edmond Ellsworth Woolley—more commonly known as Eddie, Ed, Papa, or (to some) the Joker—at the age of 75, passed peacefully in the comfort of his eternal companion on December 27, 2025, at 3:10 am. Edmond was a man known and will be remembered for his boundless, unconditional love, his unyielding strength, adventurous demeanor, and unwavering faith. 
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Ed was born to William Mervin Woolley and Louise Yvonne Ellsworth on July 15, 1950, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Los Angeles, California. His childhood was marked by his love for his family, his Savior Jesus Christ, and, of course, the beach. He found joy in training his dog Duke, wrestling, and surfing. When asked one word to describe himself throughout his life, he used “surfer.” Since he learned to surf at the age of thirteen, he had found utmost joy in catching waves and spending time on the beach. In high school, he’d ditch classes to surf, and went as far as to miss his wrestling team pictures because there were “too good of waves to leave.” He had discovered wrestling in his sophomore year of high school after being given the ultimatum of picking up trash in detention or joining the wrestling team after defending one of his friends from a bully. 

At the age of eighteen, he had planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and when asked what made him choose to, he said, “I just always knew I had to go.” He had one request to be away from the ocean, yet when he received his call from God to serve in the New Zealand Auckland mission, he understood that was where he was needed to be. There, he served several and touched many hearts. Ed had the opportunity to convert many people, including the Queen of a Māori tribe. He got to meet many people who had a great impact on his life, including Sister Davies, an eighty-year-old woman who opened up her home to him. This decision to serve a mission had been life-altering, and the testimony gained there has been the foundation of many testimonies and will touch many generations to come. 

Following his mission, Ed enrolled in college with plans to pursue medical studies, attending Brigham Young University–Provo before transferring to the University of Utah. During a Christmas break in December 1973, he came home, and the following January, he met the love of his life, Victoria Lee Miner. After which, Ed chose to step away from his studies to marry Victoria and devote himself fully to raising a family. A natural entrepreneur and provider, Ed took over his parents’ stationery store, repaired typewriters, and even turned his lifelong love of the ocean into a business by making and selling surfboards. 

Together, Ed and Victoria were blessed with six children: Tamara (1975), Steven (1976), Matthew (1977), Mark (1981), Laura (1983), and Brent (1985). 

Ed Woolley was very engaged in the LDS church and the gospel it was built upon, serving in four bishoprics and twice in the High Council. He enjoyed going to a variety of wards, sharing talks that brought others closer to Christ, and gathering Zion. He also served as a temple worker in the Los Angeles Temple for 35 years. He spent his life living Christlike, selflessly serving others, and strengthening his family through faith, love, and example. 

Beginning in 1992, Ed faced serious kidney problems that would shape the rest of his life. He began dialysis and endured several years marked by physical hardships. In the fall of 1995, Ed received the gift of a kidney transplant—an extraordinary act of love from his sister, Dottie, who gave him one of her kidneys. That kidney happened to be a perfect match which functioned for twenty years, a true miracle that blessed Ed and his family with precious time. Our family remains deeply grateful to Dottie for the life she gave and the years she made possible. 

After those twenty years, Ed returned to dialysis, a journey he endured for the final ten years of his life. Even then, he faced each day with strength and humility, never allowing his trials to overshadow his gratitude or love for others. 

In 1996, Ed became a grandfather, a role he embraced with immediate and lasting joy. As his family continued to grow, so did his heart, and his grandchildren became one of his greatest treasures. His years were spent surrounded by his family of six children and twenty-eight grandchildren. He loved spending time in the bleachers, ranging from baseball fields to soccer fields, and later even alongside the wrestling mat, cheering on his family with pride and devotion. 

Despite ongoing health challenges, Ed remained committed to making memories with those he loved most. Family beach trips and reunions became sacred traditions—times of laughter and togetherness near the ocean he loved so dearly. Though eventually his health no longer allowed him to make the long journey from Utah to the beach, those trips remained deeply cherished. The final family beach reunion took place in 2018, closing a beautiful chapter filled with waves, sunshine, and family gathered close. 

Even as his body weakened, Ed’s spirit never did. He continued to live with gratitude, humility, and unwavering faith, leaving behind a legacy of endurance, love, and steadfast example that will continue to ripple through generations. 

Carried by waves, anchored by legacy. We’ll meet again where the sea touches heaven. 

We love you Papa. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Victoria Woolley; his children, Tamara and Kory Garver, Steve and Amy Woolley, Matt and Katie Woolley, Mark and Lindsay Woolley, Laura and Rick Sheley, and Brent and Alyssa Woolley; his grandchildren: Atom and Whitney Hoffman, Makenzie and Cooper Cox, Madison and Jonas Bolli, Ryan and Camryn Woolley, Kayla Garver, Luke Woolley, Tyler and Zoie Woolley, Kyler Keenan, Marissa Woolley, Kenna Garver, Hailey Woolley, Seth Woolley, Mason Woolley, Kooper Keenan, Macey Woolley, Cael Woolley, Konner Garver, Khloe Keenan, Kate Woolley, Taylor Woolley, Audrey Woolley, Keli Woolley, Kaleb Garver, Ava Woolley, Sean Woolley, Brayden Woolley, Kyli Woolley, and Kora Woolley; great grandchildren: Mazie Hoffman and Gracie Bolli; his sisters: Dottie and Darvel Allred and Diane and Rick Dow. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. and Louise Woolley, and his brother William Woolley Jr. 

The memorial services will be held Monday, January 5, 2026 at 1835 S. Washington Fields Rd., Washington UT 84780. 

• In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to support his granddaughter’s upcoming mission through: 
• churchofjesuschrist.org
• Ward#2087391 
• Garver, Kayla Victoria