Claude L. Dilly

Claude peacefully passed away on August 31, 2024, at Gracious Living, Bellingham, WA. The family was able to show him lots of love during his life and final days, and was with family when he passed.

Claude was born February 21, 1934 in a farm house in Ludington, Michigan, to Ruth and Claude Dilly, where their farm didn’t get power until 1948. Claude’s father died in a train car accident when he was almost 13. He became the man of the house. After graduation he wanted to become a Newspaper Man. He left home alone and went to school in Ohio but ended up coming to Seattle, WA in search of employment. Soon after in 1956, his mother and 13 year old sister Kaye followed him and they settled in Bellevue, WA.

Eventually Claude found machinist training and then employment at GE Aircraft, where he met his life partner Margaret. In May of 1966 Claude talked Margaret into sneaking off to Idaho to get married. What a brave man taking on a mother of 4, two of which were young and still in the home. He made the family complete and was their pillar of strength.

Claude loved the outdoors and became an avid mountain climber and had friendships back then with Lou and Jim Whittaker, that were up and coming mountain climbers. With Claude's participation in mountain rescue came responsibilities as well. The young family was so proud on the weekends to have the Mountain Rescue truck parked in front of the house in ready for action. Claude found a better position closer to home with Marco Shipyards, in Ballard, adding to his manufacturing skills, and made some very good friends along the way.

Claude and Margaret also loved and became active in outdoor activities, mountain climbing, hiking, gardening, and wild mushroom hunting. Claude picked up the hobby of Beekeeping, and was active in the Beekeepers Association. With these interests came travel from Europe to the Far East. Claude and Margaret were very active in the Puget Sound Mycological Society and were part of the driving force starting NW Mushroomers Association in Bellingham, where there is an annual DILLY FORAY at Deception pass.

In 1991 when Claude was offered a management position at Upchurch Scientific, in Oak Harbor, with another gentleman from Michigan. He stayed with Upchurch until his retirement. Moving to Oak Harbor in 1991, was a dream come true. They had acreage, a barn, chickens, orchard, gardens, and a magnificent view of the Puget Sound and Mount Baker. The couple joined the Whidbey Presbyterian Church and became active in adult Bible and Fellowship groups, making lifelong friendships. While living in Oak Harbor Claude and Margaret gave home to two foster daughters, Whitney and Heather Baxter, who soon became family members.

In 2019, as health and need to downsize Claude and Margaret moved away from their scenic home in Oak Harbor to Bellingham senior living, to be closer to their health care professionals and oversight by family.

Claude has left behind many friends and associations as well as a loving family. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his parents , 2 siblings, and son Dan.

Claude is survived by his daughter Coni (Paul), daughter Karen (Larry), and son Howard (Melanie), sister Kaye (Carl), 11 grandchildren, 9 great grands, 1 neice, that will miss him. He will remain in their hearts forever.