Esther Mae (Davis) Bolton

Esther Mae (Davis) Bolton was born in Thermopolis, WY May 1, 1935 to Hester Oliver and Ruth Louise (Baker) Davis.  She lived on Upper Owl Creek and attended county one-room schools, then graduated from Hot Springs County High School in 1953.  She worked for Mountain Bell while still in high school as a telephone switchboard operator.  After graduating, she attended Airline Training school in Omaha Nebraska.

After the Korean War, Esther married Ivan R. Blakesley in Thermopolis in June 1954. They lived in Thermopolis and had 2 children, Veva and Mark.  They divorced in 1975.

Esther had a variety of jobs including the charge clerk for the Gambles store and Assistant payroll clerk for Chopping Chevrolet.  She worked for Charles M. Smith Construction as the payroll clerk from 1968 to 1976, then for Hot Springs County School District as assistant bookkeeper from 1977 to 1981.

Esther married William E. Bolton, MD in September 1981 and they moved to Worland, WY where she worked in her husband’s medical clinic until he closed his office in August 1996.  They lived in Longview, WA in 1986 to 1987 where she attended Stylemaster’s Beauty College.

Esther was a member of the First Baptist Church in Thermopolis for many years, then a member of the Worland First Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Washakie Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Worland Artists Association.

After returning to Thermopolis in 1999, to be near her grandchildren, Esther and Bill became members of the Federated Community Church.  She was an active volunteer in the Wednesday Children’s After School program.

Esther enjoyed traveling to new and different places, skiing, hiking, and collecting rocks.  With her husband, she participated in an organization called Carolina Clinic (similar to Doctors without Borders) in Honduras. She became an avid photographer which was evident by the photos on the walls of her home and those of her family.  Besides her home collection, she entered and won several photography contests. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Esther is survived by her husband, William E. Bolton, daughter, Veva K. Blakesley-VanKirk and a son, Mark Ivan (Lori) Blakesley all of Thermopolis, her sister, Lois Ann Davis of Green Valley, AZ, grandchildren Marshall (Samantha) Bridges, Julia Kaye Blakesley, Cassidy Marie VanKirk, great-granddaughters Jaylee Kaye Hood and Emma Jane Bridges; step-children Teresa Bolton, Mark Bolton of Chicago, IL, Johanna Brandt of Streator, IL, Phillip Bolton of Centennial, WY and Matthew Bolton of Hamilton, OH, 8 step grandchildren and 8 step great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers: James Oliver Davis, Raymond Owen Davis, Keith E. Davis and Leonard A. Davis.

Mortimore Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Cremation has taken place and burial will be at Monument Hill Cemetery. 

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 12, 2:00 PM at Federated Community Church with Pastor Paul Grossman officiating.  A reception will follow at Community Hall.

Memorials can be made to Federated Community Church in Thermopolis, WY or the Salvation Army.

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