Corvallis – Nancy L. Motley, 79, of Corvallis, passed away, Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 at the Marcus Daly Hospice and Palliative Care Center. She was born June 23, 1936 in Rolette, North Dakota the daughter of the late Richard and Edna (Yoder) Zilla.
Nancy lived in Wolford, ND until she was in the 7th grade, when her family moved to Darby, MT. Nancy “Bubbles” graduated from Darby High School in 1954. After graduation she moved to Missoula where she worked as a switchboard operator.
On April 14, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Donald G. Motley, in Missoula, MT and went straight to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. While living there, their first son, Greg, was born. Once Greg was old enough to travel over seas, Nancy and Greg joined Don in Germany. While in Germany their second child, Michael, was born. Michael passed away when he was 9 months old. They were then transferred back to Fort Lewis, WA where their daughter, Michelle, was born.
In 1962, Don and Nancy moved back to the Bitterroot living in Hamilton where three more children joined them: Scott, Jeff and Erin. During their time in Hamilton they built the Town & Country Trailer Court and Nancy made custom draperies, they also started Don’s Auto Haus where Nancy did the books.
In 1982, Don and Nancy moved to Challis, ID. Nancy worked for the East Idaho Federal Credit Union and McPherson’s Dry Goods Store. In 1990 they moved back to Hamilton and together with son Jeff, they established The Paint Center on Highway 93. She continued to own and operate The Paint Center until her retirement in 2001.
Nancy was an avid card player and a member of a bridge group. She had many hobbies including stain glass, painting, sewing and skiing. There was never a holiday that went by that a game of some kind wasn’t being played. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church for many years.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 60 years, Don, of Corvallis; two daughters and two sons, Michelle (Ed) Davidson of Puyallup, WA, Scott (Kathy) Motley of Kalispell, Jeff (Vicki) Motley of Stevensville and Erin (Dyrk) Krueger of Corvallis; her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Louma of OK, Barbara Pleasant of FL, Mary Jo Brown of Helena, MT and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Edna Zilla; brothers, Rick and Jim Zilla; sister, Zetta Matthews; and sons, Michael and Greg Motley.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Hamilton Assembly of God Church, on 6th and Main St., with Pastor John Weaver officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Assembly of God Church. Private family interment will take place at the Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Marcus Daly Hospice Endowment Fund, 1200 Westwood Dr, Hamilton MT 59840 or to the Pacific Northwest Adult & Teen Challenge Program, 3815 S. 7th St., Missoula MT 59804. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.