Idaho State Journal, 04/23/09
MONTPELIER - Robert Leroy
Layland, 83, passed away at his home on Monday, April 20, 2009. Bob was born March 7, 1926, the son of Andrew
Jackson Layland and Jessie
Johnson Layland. He was born in Nampa,
Idaho, and raised in the Raymond and
Pegram areas in
Bear Lake County. He attended schools in
Alton,
Pegram, Cokeville, and
Montpelier.
Having been inducted into the U.S
Army in September of 1944, he served with the 96th Division, of World War II, where he saw combat on Okinawa. He was wounded in action on May 25, 1945, and was awarded the
Purple Heart.
He continued his patriotism as an active member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3884 and participated in numerous gun salutes for fellow veterans' graveside services and in bearing the VFW and United States flags in fair parades.
After his return from the war, he worked as a brakeman for the Union
Pacific Railroad and the Morrision
Knudsen Construction Company during off times of railroad work. He continued doing construction work for various companies after leaving the railroad. Later, Bob worked for Arrowhead Freightlines which provided experience to be highly recommended by a friend to be hired by
Garrett Freightlines as the local terminal manager, for whom he delivered freight locally for over 30 years, retiring in 1980.
Bob married Esther Law May 24, 1949, at her home in
Paris,
Idaho. They resided in
Montpelier for the past 60 years, making a loving home for their five children and extended family.
He loved his family. Being outdoors was another love, where he enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting. He learned the value of hard work from his parents and applied that throughout his life. After working a full eight-hour day of delivering freight, he spent time taking care of his 90-acre farm.
Bob is survived by his wife, Esther, of Montpelier; one son and three daughters and their spouses, Valerie (Mark)
Stucki of Gilbert,
Arizona, Sylvia (Thomas G.) Westre of
Logan,
Utah, DeAnn (Thomas W.) Hayes of Georgetown,
Idaho, and Jay (Patricia)
Layland of
Weston,
Idaho. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Richard, his parents, his brother, Delbert, sister, Pearl.
Bob was loved by his family and he will be missed.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the
Montpelier South
Stake Center, 485 South Seventh,
Montpelier,
Idaho. Viewing will be prior to services from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Interment will be in the
Montpelier Cemetery.