Willis Elbridge Sibley - Obituary

illis Elbridge Sibley, 92, of Shady Side MD died on Sunday March 13 2022. He was born in Nashville TN Feb, 22, 1930 to Elbridge and Elizabeth Sibley. He spent most of his formative years between Wooster MA and South Harpswell Maine. In Maine at his family’s summer cottage is where he learned to sail, a hobby that continued all of his life, sailing in many waters on many different sized boats. He earned his BA in Economics at Reed College OR, MA and PhD in Anthropology at the University of Chicago. He met his first wife, Barbara Jean Grant Sibley, while in Chicago and together the two traveled around the world twice, living in Utah, the Philippines, Pullman WA, Cleveland Hts. OH and finally retiring to Shadyside. In that same time, they raised three children. He taught Anthropology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Washington State University , a visiting professorship at the University of the Philippines in Manila and Cleveland State University. He was also active in many Anthropological societies, serving as treasurer, president and other positions. In that same time, he also did some work with the Environmental Protection Agency, working on better uses of water. Retiring to Shadyside and he started up a sailboat repair service (Sibley Marine Services) retrofitting boats and repairing engines as the clients needed. Barbara died of breast cancer a few years later. He was active in the Annapolis Chorale, member of the Annapolis Unitarian Church and active with the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation in DC, He later married Marjorie Hegge of Davidsonville, MD He is survived by his wife Marjorie of almost 20 years, his three children, Sheila and her husband Ian Warden of Gouverneur NY, Tony and his wife Michelle-Collins Sibley of Alliance OH and Michael and his wife Sarah of Richmond Hts. OH. His 2 Step-daughters Annelie and her husband John Lusby of Davidsonville, MD and Katrina and her husband Adam Mullins of Accokeek, MD, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his first wife Barbara and grandson Michael. There will be a private family memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy can donate to Reed College in Portland, OR in his name Please take a moment to leave a condolence by using the memory tab on the left.