Pete Woolsey

April 25, 1940 - April 20, 2017

Pete Woolsey passed away on April 20, 2017 at his home in Dewey. He was born Joseph Pete Woolsey on April 25, 1940, to Rube and Jesse Woolsey, in his Grandmother’s house in Safford, AZ. His Dad worked on ranches around the state, so from an infant to a young teen he lived and loved the cowboy life style. He went to school in Florence, Globe, Hillside, Safford and in 1955 his family moved to Prescott. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1958. Following his love of cowboy he also worked on ranches after graduating and was introduced to team roping by some of the best cowboys of that era. In his late teens he met and fell in love with Martha Henderson, a rancher’s daughter from Dewey, Az. After a few years of dating they were married on January 26, 1963. Together they raised, Peri Jo “Skeeter” and Gerry Rube. Pete worked jobs from driving a school bus to working in feed lots, all the while roping when he could. He helped produce some of the biggest roping’s the state of Arizona had. In his later years Pete stepped away from producing roping’s and became in his words, a “professional athlete”. He was known for riding great horses and being a tough competitor. His biggest win came in his early 70’s in Las Vegas, when he won $46,000.00. When he was interviewed after the win he told the reporter his biggest achievement was his family. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Martha, daughter Skeeter and son Rube (Carrie), grandsons, Garrett James Frank, Rube Anthony and Nolan Joseph Woolsey, sister Sally(Hank) Mills, nephews Hoyt(Jamie) Parker, Perry(Bonnie) Cain, niece Lori(Randy) Savage. Many cousins, great nephews and great nieces. He loved life and all his friends and thought everyone should do something every day that they enjoyed. He wanted a party for his family and friends to visit, have a drink, eat and dance. So we are having his celebration of life, Wednesday June 14, 2017 at 12 noon at the Prescott Resort, 1500 E. Arizona Highway 69, Prescott, AZ. Wear your favorite jeans & dancing shoes. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Hospice of the Pines 13207 E. Highway 169, Dewey, AZ 86327 or the Yavapai County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse PO Box 95 Prescott, AZ 86302