Wilbur Eugene "Gene" Stanley of Eau Claire passed away August 21 at Our House Memory Care in Eau Claire. He was born October 11, 1939, in Rockford, IL, to Vallie and Ruth (Wilbur) Stanley and grew up in Oregon, IL, graduating from Oregon High School in 1958. He graduated from Bradley University in 1962 and got his Masters Degree from Ball State in 1965. He taught elementary school in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio before coming to Eau Claire in 1970 where he taught at Little Red and later Sherman Elementary School until his retirement in 1999. He married Ann Heywood in 1975. Gene enjoyed a variety of hobbies over the years from baseball card collecting, especially his favorite Chicago Cubs, and model railroading to playing harmonica, guitar, and accordion, and walking his dog. He enjoyed canoeing and motor boating on area rivers, and loved classical music. He loved to drive and took family on trips all over the US. He delighted his students with model rocket launches in the schoolyard and a jungle of plants in the classroom. He devoted many summer days to biking with his sons from his first marriage to Zita Bublitz, and he was an enthusiastic horse show dad for daughter Lydia and her POA. He always admired Abraham Lincoln. In later years he enjoyed traveling in Europe with his wife and riding a series of Harley motorcycles, finally settling into an electric trike. He was devoted to his family and readily tackled household tasks. He charmed extended family and friends with his humor, stories, and music. He loved life. He is survived by his wife Ann; his sons Jeff (Julie) Stanley of Greenwood, IN; Greg Stanley of Ft. Myers, FL; his daughter Lydia (Chris) Major of Orono, MN; and grandchildren Ethan, Caleb, Meghan, and Joel Stanley, and Jason Taylor; Jacob Stanley; Anika Major; nieces and nephews; sisters- and brothers-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Valdean Blanchard, and brother, Robert. The family is grateful for the loving care of Our House Memory Care and Moments Hospice, especially musician Emily who brought back the songs of old. A Celebration of Life for Gene will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at West Chapel of Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services, 1405 N Clairemont Avenue. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences for Gene's family may be left at www.lenmarkfh.com. In lieu of flowers you might donate to the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation or your choice.