Neil Haley

NEIL EDWARD HALEY DVM Neil Edward Haley DVM, died in his home surrounded by loved ones, on July 7, 2015. Neil was born on October 30, 1928 to Cleo and Charles Haley in Seattle, Washington. He attended high school in Edmonds, Washington where he was elected student body president, homecoming king, and served as vice-president of the Washington State FFA. Neil went on to attend California State University Cal Poly on a baseball scholarship, until he was drafted during the Korean War. Neil served his time in the army working at Hanford nuclear facility and playing baseball for the army. Neil met his future bride, Faye Watson, in a bar December 1951. They were married three months later and made their home in Pullman, Washington, where Neil enrolled in Veterinary school at Washington State University. During his residency in veterinary school, Neil and Faye had two daughters, Lisa and Jill, and a son William. He started practicing medicine in 1958 and worked in a veterinary clinic in Enumclaw WA until leaving for California in 1961. Neil and Faye and their three children settled in Orland California, where they lived for the next 30 years. Neil handled both large and small animals in his practice at Orland Veterinary Clinic with his partner Ed Smith. He routinely made "house calls" in his mobile clinic pickup truck to dairy farms and ranches in the Glenn County area. He loved his job until the day he retired and was lovingly called "Doc" by those he served. After selling his veterinary practice in Orland, Neil and Faye moved to Placerville and started Slate Creek Animal Hospital, where he practiced for ten years. He then retired from veterinary practice, moved back to Orland, and bought and maintained a small olive orchard. Neil was a loving husband to Faye for 63 years. They had a great community of friends in Orland and Placerville. Neil enjoyed fly-fishing, golfing at the Glenn County Golf Course and playing softball in the Orland adult league until well into his fifties. He was often in attendance at Butte College Football games and loved to watch the Green Bay Packers. Neil was most proud of his children, Lisa, Jill and Bill. He could be seen attending their many swim meets, baseball and football games. He served on the Orland High School Board as well as the Glenn County Grand Jury. Neil took great pleasure in his grandchildren and his great- grandchildren. He spoke often of how proud he was of each one of them and his presence will be greatly missed in their lives. His wife Faye, and their three children Lisa, Jill and Bill survive Neil. As well as sons in- law- Dave and Jonathan and daughter in-law Patty. Grandchildren: Taryn, Ben, Forest, Sierra, Sam, Drew and Alyse and great- grandchildren, Eleanor, Everett and Aurora. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 2:00 to 6:00 at the Glenn Golf Course. In lieu of flowers please donate to Butte Humane Society: buttehumane.org/ The family wishes to thank Butte Home Health and Hospice for their loving care.