Byron Whaley

Byron C. Whaley, 94, formerly of Grand Marais, Minnesota, died Thursday, December 15, 2011 in the Minnesota Veteran's Home in Silver Bay, Minnesota. Byron was born on March 24, 1917 to John and Cora May Whaley in Hot Springs, South Dakota. A graduate of Hot Springs High School, Class of 1935, he was captain of the basketball team. Byron majored in mining engineering at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and graduated in 1940. He earned 5 athletic letters in track and football where he was named an All-American football player.

Byron was an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, and served in the European theater during World War II where he met his future wife of 55 years, Simone Clouzard. Byron and Simone settled in Superior, Wisconsin/Duluth, Minnesota where Byron worked as an executive in the coal and oil industries, initially with Consolidation Coal Company (subsequently Northwestern-Hanna Fuel Co), followed by C. Reiss Coal Company and Marine Fueling.

Byron was an avid outdoorsman and particularly enjoyed grouse and deer hunting. He and Simone retired to Sun City, Arizona in 1986. Byron returned to Grand Marais, Minnesota in 2006 to live out his remaining years in the beautiful North Country that he loved.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Faustina, and his wife Simone.

He is survived by his daughter, two sons, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association.