Paul Wesley Hockett

Paul Wesley Hockett
May 10, 1925 - December 17, 2013
Salem - Paul Wesley Hockett, aged 88, died December 17, 2013 of natural causes at The Woods at Willow Creek in Salem, Oregon. He was a devout Christian and is now at peace and at home with the Lord. Paul was born May 10, 1925 near the Hayden, Colorado family homestead. He was one of ten children and attended local public schools, graduating from high school two weeks early to enlist in the US Navy Reserve for service in World War II.
After Navy boot camp and further training with small boats Paul was assigned to a unit that operated landing craft. Paul was a coxswain (driver) of a "Higgins boat" landing craft at the invasion of the Japanese-held South Pacific island of Tarawa. This was the first major amphibious landing operation of WWII and is commonly referred to as "bloody Tarawa". After Tarawa was secured, Paul was promoted to Boatswain's Mate Second Class and assigned for service in PT (patrol, torpedo) boats.
Paul returned to Colorado after the War and married his high school classmate Virginia Adame. The marriage ended amicably after nearly twenty years and raising three children. Virginia Adame Jackson passed away in 1987.
Paul was employed by various businesses in Colorado and Oregon before finding employment with the Oregon Department of Transportation's Highway Division. Paul retired from the Highway Division after twenty-six years of service and received numerous awards for achievement and for safety.
Paul was an active member of the Market Street Church of Christ in Salem. His hobbies and interests prior to his illness included woodworking, elk hunting, snow birding, gardening, and RVing for many years, and he would also enjoy a game of dominos or pinochle.
Paul found happiness in his marriage to Genieve (Reutzel) Windsor, widow of James Marvin Windsor Sr. (Ret. USN Chief Petty Officer). Genieve brought three children to their marriage. After many joyous years with Paul, Genieve succumbed to illnesses associated with Parkinson's disease.
Paul is survived by his three children: Paula Hockett of Tenino, WA; Steven (Sue) Hockett of Lakewood, WA; and Stan (Alys) Hockett of Hillsboro, OR; and step children Larry (Dessa) Windsor of Bend, OR; Gary Windsor of Salem, OR; and James (Mary) Windsor Jr. of Scio, OR; Grandchildren Sam (Lindsey) Hockett; Sarah (Chad) Hildebrandt; Stacie (Lorne) Martin; Jacob Hockett; Kalynn Hockett; Trista (Jeff) Carden; Amanda (Mike) Wiesner; Mike Windsor; and eleven great-grandchildren. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Wesley Hockett, mother Eva (Smith) Hockett, and his numerous brothers and sisters.
A service will be held at the Restlawn Funeral Home chapel on Sunday, December 22 at 2 pm, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens on Monday, December 23 at 11 am. Donations to the Parkinson's Foundation www.pdf.org or other charity are preferred in lieu of flowers. Memories and condolences at www.RestlawnFH.com .