| Bio | Wes Bolyard
July 17, 1943 - June 10, 2025
Wesley Bolyard, Jr., 81, passed away at home from cancer on June 10, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona.
Wes was born in Bakersfield, CA to J. Wesley Bolyard, Sr. and Hope (Pickens) Bolyard, and was raised in Kansas City, MO. He married Angela Etiopia on June 3, 1978.
Wes was always proud of being an Eagle Scout in Mic-O-Say Tribe with over 50 merit badges. He also volunteered to teach canoeing for younger scouts. He worked in Quality Control at General Motors in Kansas City, MO, until the assembly plant was shut down, was assigned to North Tarrytown Assembly plant in New York for a few months, then was transferred to the Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, AZ. He retired on September 30, 1998.
While he was earning an Engineering Degree from University of Missouri – Kansas City, he started playing golf. He would read books to try to perfect his performance, and it paid well. He played in tournaments by himself or with other friends and he typically was at or close to the top of the scoreboard. The first time Wes went skiing in Colorado, it only took him two days to manage the course. Later he joined the Kansas City Ski Club, took 3rd place in the Slalom race in 1981 and was Club Champion in 1982, and earned several NASTAR gold and silver race medals.
When his job was transferred to Arizona, he was so happy to be able to play golf all year long. Wes was a volunteer coordinator at the 16th hole for several years during the Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course. He also arranged volunteers for AJGA tournaments at Longview Golf Club. Wes played golf in several countries and wrote reviews of those golf courses, as well as golf clubs, golf bags, push carts, other golf equipment (i.e. ball retrievers) and clothing. His proudest golf achievement was the two hole-in-ones he made in one round on Longview Golf Club in Mesa, AZ. He also had 7 more hole-in-ones.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents, son Eric, sister Donna Kenney, brother Mike Grissom, and brother J.D. Grissom. He is survived by his wife, Angela; son Marty; granddaughter Ashlie Dilsaver; sisters Shirl Quick and Susan Lang; brothers Bob Grissom and Steve Grissom.
Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Thursday, June 26 at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery & Funeral Home, 1562 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ 85204. Burial will follow at same location.
Wes was a very close friend of mine and many others we knew at Van Horn, he lived in the same neighborhood we did and he & his wife and I have kept in close contact since high school. I had heard he was having some problems and then learned he also had had a stroke after his operation. He is well thought of by many in our old neighborhood and many of his classmates. He will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace and we will see you later.
Please join with me in sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends. |
