Norman Ray Stapley

Norman Ray Stapley, 87, died on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at his home in Troy with his wife Ruby and son Roland at his side. He was born in Troy on March 20, 1931 to Ellis and Myrtle Stapley at their home on Bull Lake Road.

Norman married Ruby Good in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Sept. 7, 1955. They raised eight children together as well as having their door open to anyone, young or old, who needed a place to stay.

Norman left the eighth grade to begin splitting cedar to help support his family. He and his brothers started a logging company and he worked with them until he was drafted on March 18, 1952 by the U.S. Army and served as a pole lineman. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army on March 1, 1954.

Following his military service, he returned to Troy and went back to that which he loved, working in the woods. He and his wife Ruby started Stapley Contracting and they worked side by side in the woods for many years. He was known as the Gypo King and she was his Gypsie Queen. He was a proud logger and cared about the land he worked on. He was honest in his dealings and was very respected by the logging community. He retired in 2006.

Norman was a wonderful man, father and husband. He may have been a man of few words but his actions showed his love for his family and friends in countless ways. His love of the outdoors was well known by those who were blessed to know him. He loved hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms, hiking and any other activity that let him be in the woods he loved.

He was an avid gardener and looked forward to spring when he could start preparing the ground for the coming harvest. He was also an avid reader and loved to share his books and thoughts about what fascinating tidbits of information he would discover.

Norman was preceded in death by his daughter, Trena Pacheco, and grandson, Ricky Stapley.

Survivors include his wife Ruby of Troy; children Rick (Debbie) Stapley of Troy, Ross Stapley of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Roland Stapley, Linda Stapley Meyer and Bart Stapley, all of Troy, Ellis (Cheryl) Stapley of Lewiston, Idaho, and Nick (Heidi) Stapley of Tucson, Arizona; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at the family home in Troy. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be made on www.schnackenbergfh.com.