Our Sweet William, Ellis William Campbell, Jr (Bill), passed away on September 17, 2023. Born in Eureka on January 15, 1940, Bill was the oldest of 4 siblings. Bill spent most of his life in Weott. As a child he attended the one room school house in Weott. He spent hours with his horse and dog hunting in the mountains across from Weott before the freeway was completed. He often spoke of proudly parading through town with his dog and a buck on his horses back. He enjoyed spending summers at his Aunt Florence and Uncle Nick’s house in Hayfork. He was proud to be an Eagle Scout and represent the Weott district.

Bill graduated from South Fork High School in 1958. While attending high school he played basketball and liked studying forestry. In order to be able to play basketball, Bill would start working as a junior in high school and he would continue to work hard for most of his adult life.

Because he worked so hard, Bill was able to buy his GTO in 1964. He would drive his GTO through Myers Flat, eventually catching the eye of his future wife, Patricia Caples. This love affair would last 57 years as Bill and Pat were married a short 6 months later, on March 7, 1965. The first of 3 daughters would be born on March 27, 1966.

Bill worked in the logging industry. He fell timber with both his father and his father in law. He would later run heavy equipment, loading logging trucks and working on the docks in Fields Landing loading the large cargo ships. Bill would later go on to operate large cats, doing restorative work in the National Forest in Orick.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors. He liked to hunt and fish; always taking his family with him. Hunting trips became camping trips where a lot of good memories were made with friends and family. He liked to take his family trout fishing, never complaining about spending the day untangling his daughter’s fishing lines or chasing down the trout that was excitedly caught and ended up in the brush.

Once Bill retired, he and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the midwest. He would return to Tombstone, Arizona many times as it was one of his favorite places to see. Bill also enjoyed gardening in his retirement years. He enjoyed growing too many tomatoes and sharing them with family and friends.

Bill was a proud father of three daughters. He would often joke that he never had any time in the bathroom but he loved his daughters dearly. He spent time with them and was always there to help in any way that he could.

Bill was blessed with four grandchildren. He created many memories with them and was a solid example of a hard working, patient man. He spent time reading his grandsons the Sunday morning comics and spent nights “camping out” in the back of a pick up truck in the front yard. He would proudly attend their school and sporting events, supporting them and cheering them on. Bill enjoyed swapping timber falling stories with his grandsons and disputing what the best brand of saw is. He would travel many miles to spend time with his granddaughters. He enjoyed attending their extracurricular activities and being able to spend time with them while visiting the Bay Area. He would share stories of his grandkids and he was proud of them.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia; daughters Roberta, Carolee and Theresa; granddaughters Brooke and Breanna Fong and grandsons Justin and Reed Lang. He is also survived by his sister in law and very good friend, Christie Liening.

Bill was a kind and gentle soul and he will be dearly missed by his family. A celebration of life will be held at Milligan Hall in Weott on Nov. 11 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

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It’s right there in the handbook: candles, barbecues and other such incendiary products are not allowed in the dorms at Cal Poly Humboldt. 

Alas, on Wednesday, a resident of the on-campus College Creek Apartments demonstrated why that rule is in place. They lit a candle that subsequently set their room ablaze. 

Fortunately, the sprinkler system extinguished the fire around 4 p.m., according to News and Information Director Aileen Yoo. One room suffered fire and water damage and two more rooms suffered water damage, displacing a total of 12 students.

A silver lining on the cloud of this year’s unexpectedly slow enrollment growth: There’s plenty of space available, so the dozen students were quickly relocated to new rooms, Yoo told the Outpost via email.

In an odd coincidence, the fire happened on the same day that the Mad River Union‘s Jack Durham reported that the university recently nixed an agreement with the Arcata Fire Department “to provide special services including disaster preparedness, smoke removal, animal rescues, residence hall fire drills, an active shooter training and more.”

The split came after AFD sent the university a $100 invoice for responding to a false fire alarm, though the contract remains active until Nov. 18, according to Durham’s reporting.

AFD still responds to fires on campus, and they responded to this one, but it had already been doused by the building’s sprinkler systems, according to Yoo.

Shirley May Wiese Theobault
April 6, 1936-October 11, 2023

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Shirley May Wiese Theobault who left this earth on October 11, 2023. We find peace knowing she is singing with the angels, wrapped in the love of the Lord.

For all who knew her, recognized she was an individual like no other. She blessed our lives with her witty charm, passionate outlooks on life, and her all consuming love for her family and their walk with God.

Shirley May was born at home on April 6, 1936 to Lillie May and Jesse J Lewis in Edge, Texas at 8:55 p.m. She was a country girl at heart with city dreams. She was raised picking cotton & milking cows during nights and summers, but she put her foot down when it came to plowing the fields, stubborn as she was.

At the age of 10 she met the man that would become the love of her life, Waldemar “Shorty” Wiese. A tall man in stature with a heart of gold. He was a real life cowboy, riding up on a horse the first time she saw him.

A few years later they began dating before he left to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return they married in Bryan, Texas in December of 1952. In April of 1954 they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Sherrie Lynn. Three months later they moved with her parents and youngest sister Bonnie to join their eldest sister Anita in Eureka, with dreams of bigger opportunities. Following their move they added to their family with two sons, Gary Wayne born in February of 1957, and Jerry Arnold in November of 1958.

Shirley was a spirited woman. Her fiery disposition led her to become a headstrong woman, and the heart of her family. She was an artist, a painter. Her favorite color was pink. She enjoyed sewing and made many quilts, aprons, and table linens for her family. One of her most cherished hobbies was gardening. She would spend countless hours tending to her gardens, and took great care to create a sanctuary for the birds she so endlessly loved. She held a special love for the hummingbirds, they were one of her greatest joys. She loved sharing her time with her family and friends in her gardens amongst all of her flowers.

As the years passed and her family grew, she was blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She became the gravity that pulled them all together. She treasured the time she spent with her family for the holidays and took great care in showering them with her unending love.

Above all, Shirley loved Christ first and foremost. She was a devout believer in the Lord and wasn’t afraid to speak and share His word. Truly one of a kind. A spitfire of a Godly woman.

In recent years Shirley had repeatedly expressed how much she missed her husband “Shorty” since his passing on October 7, 1989. She was ready to go home to him. In her final moments she rejoiced in knowing she would soon be called home to the Lord and to once again be rejoined with the love of her life. She had peace in her heart. She is home.

Shirley May Wiese Theobault was preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Lillie Lewis of Brazos County, TX, sister Anita Wellesley of Eureka, CA, brother Doyle Lewis of Waco, TX, husband Waldemar “Shorty” Wiese of North Zulch, TX, and survived by her sister Bonnie Hamblock of Eureka, CA, children Sherrie (Ramon) Dominguez of McKinleyville, CA, Gary (Robin) Wiese of Parma, ID, Jerry (Carolyn) Wiese of Meridian, ID, grandchildren Josh (Vanessa) Wiese of Cheney, WA, Alicia (Jake) Cox of McKinleyville, CA, Trisha (Jason) Nauman of Star, ID, Sarah Wiese of Nampa, ID, Briana Dominguez of Arcata, CA, Stephanie Wiese of Elkhorn, NE, Elena Dominguez (Mike Pires) of Fortuna, CA and great grandchildren Josh, Hunter and Cassidy Wiese, Anthony and Byron Nauman, Austin Wiese, and Addison, Ezra, Avery and Jaxson Smith, plus numerous family, friends and loved ones. She will be forever loved, missed and remembered.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 20 at Sanders Funeral Home at 1835 E Street Eureka, CA 95501, with viewing from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following. All who knew and loved her are welcome to come and celebrate her life. Following the service, family, friends and loved ones of Shirley, are welcome to join us for refreshments at the Eureka Church of Christ at 1610 I St., Eureka, CA 95501.

And in lieu of flowers, please send any contributions to the Ida Emerson Hospice House at 3327 Timber Fall Ct., Eureka, CA 95503, thank you.

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On September 18, 2023, Loran Parker passed away at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka with his loving son, sister-in-law and cousins by his side. Loran had been fighting health issues for several years and ultimately succumbed to those health issues.

Loran was born to Jacqueline and Harold ‘Jay’ Parker on November 19, 1956 in Eureka. Loran had five brothers and one sister, also born and raised in Eureka. Loren lived most of his life in Eureka and was married to Janet Porter on March 3, 1978.

Loran was initiated in to the Clampers in 1979, when a chapter was made in Eureka, and will be honored next month at their BBQ. Loran was a truck driver/ mechanic. In the 1980s he drove truck for Arcata Salvage, taking metal to Oakland and dropping it off. Then he started hauled logs here in Eureka for few years for Bear Logging. Then, in 1991, his kids Jackie and James were in a car accident. James broke his back and ended up in a wheelchair, so Loran stayed home and helped him and worked on cars for friends.

In 1999 he got sick was told had six months to live, but fought it for 24 years.

Loran is survived by three brothers and one sister — Donald Parker, Vernon Parker, Guy Parker and sister Linda Bullock-Clowers. He is also survived by one son and one daughter — James Parker (and Kelsey) and Jackie and Brad Raines, and his three grandchildren, Kyle Raines, Matthew Raines and James Raines of new Albany, Mississippi. Loran’s mother- and father-in-law also hailed from Eureka (Delores and Alfred Porter).

Loran’s celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

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Daisy Mar, longtime resident of King City, passed away September 28, 2023 in McKinleyville. Born in 1926 to parents Young and Yip Shee Mar in Monterey, she lived in King City for 80 years. Daisy worked throughout her youth at Mar’s Cafe on Broadway in King City, the family-run business, leaving school at midday to work in the restaurant, helping to manage the lunch rush. After graduating from King City High School she continued to work in the family business until it closed, then worked as a tireless caregiver to her elders, siblings and youngsters over the years. She was a reliable and steady volunteer, including at the Red Cross, March of Dimes, and community events.

Daisy loved to socialize, and her laughter, wit, and charm were endearing to everyone she met. She was friendly, chatty and clever, and loved to tease. She knew everyone “downtown,” including their family members and often their extended family members. She was truly interested in people’s lives and their accomplishments, celebrating with them, and offering encouragement when needed. Many will miss those hours long “chat fests” in person or on the phone with Daisy.

Daisy loved babies and kids, and family was the most important thing in the world to her. She was known for cutting out newspaper articles, comic strips, and magazine recipes and mailing them to family members. Receiving a chubby envelope from her was like opening a gift on Christmas morning. She was an avid gardener and had a bountiful garden, from which she generously shared cutting and starts with her family and friends.

Daisy leaves numerous nieces and nephews and their families, including Valerie Green, also of McKinleyville. She was predeceased by brothers William, Ed, and Davis Mar and sisters Alice M. Mar and Clara Mar Senter.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 18th, 2023 at Eddington Funeral Services in King City. Donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or your favorite charity.

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Fortuna Police Department press release: 

Warning: Fish and Wildlife is advising confirmed mountain lion sighting at the Fortuna Sunrise Cemetery, 3315 Newburg Road in Fortuna.

Fish and Wildlife has requested this information be shared with the public and if there are any questions they can be directed to Ian Keith at the Fish and Wildlife Unit, (707) 445-6493.

Fortuna Police Department release: 

On Wednesday, October 18th 2023 Fortuna Police received a report that Fortuna Middle School staff discovered a written threat written on an exterior school wall threatening to “blow up the school on 10-19-23.”

Officers responded to the school and began working with school officials to investigate the threat.

A safety plan was put into place for school on today’s date, October 19th 2023. Fortuna Middle School Administrators sent notice to parents, and officers conducted searches of the school campus throughout the night and before school. Fortuna Police were present on campus before school and during the school day. In addition, the school campus was secured and arriving students were searched prior to entering the school grounds.

Throughout the school day, the Fortuna Police Department’s School Resource Officer and school staff continued to investigate the identity of the student responsible for the written threat and they eventually identified the culprit using CCTV footage. The student who wrote the threat on the school wall was taken into custody by Fortuna Police after providing a confession to school administrators. The student was transported to and booked at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall. The student faces felony charges of section 422 of the California Penal Code - Criminal Threats.

As a follow-up effort, officers conducted a search of the student’s residence and no further evidence was located.

It should be noted, during the evening of October 18th 2023 after the schools parental notice was released, the department received reports of the same threat being circulated through social media and students. During the investigation it was determined that there was no evidence to suggest that the student arrested was responsible for the social media portion of the threat. This determination was made as police confirmed that the arrested student had no access to the proper electronic devices needed to spread such a threat.

The Fortuna Police Department is committed to public safety.