ANDREW THOMAS WHALEY

ANDREW THOMAS WHALEY

     Andrew Thomas Whaley, 34, of Black River Falls passed away at home Nov. 2, 2023, after a year-long battle with duodenal cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Andy was born July 30, 1989, in La Crosse, WI, to Larry and Catherine (Russell) Whaley. He was raised in Black River Falls his whole life and was a dedicated member of the Boy Scouts organization in his younger years, earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 2007. Andy joined the Black River Falls Fire Department (BRFFD) in 2008, where his love for the fire service quickly sparked and inspired him to complete his degree in fire protection at Fox Valley Technical College in 2014. He worked for Jackson County as a 911 dispatcher for several years, before settling in as an advanced EMT with the fire department he loved so much. Andy’s dedication and ideas for improvement led to him becoming an assistant chief for BRFFD in 2020, where he acted as an incredible leader and mentor to many. 

     On Aug. 2, 2014, Andy married the love of his life, Katie Davison. The two welcomed sons Edwin (6) and Emerett (3) in the following years, and together they worked tirelessly to provide a welcoming and fun home for their family and friends. Andy was a man who loved his hobbies, and he lived his life following the seasons: spring was for turkey hunting, summer was for camping at Lake Arbutus and following Brewers baseball, fall was for bow hunting and celebrating opening weekend at the Whaley family cabin and winter was for cozying up with his family. Andy was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He enjoyed spending any of his remaining free time fishing with Edwin, exploring the outdoors with Emerett and working on the ongoing list of DIY projects he and Katie planned around their home. 

     Andy will live on, not only in his boys’ love for the outdoors and the hunting trophies hanging on the wall, but also in his impact to the community he dedicated his life to serving. He leaves behind a legacy of service and self-sacrifice that acts as a reminder to us all to prioritize caring for others. He was the calm in the chaos, and he will be missed dearly.

     Andy is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Davison) Whaley; sons Edwin and Emerett Whaley; parents Larry and Catherine Whaley; brother Ryan (Jenny) Whaley; grandparents Jim and Donna Russell; and grandmother Nancy Whaley; father- and mother-in-law Jim and Teresa Davison; brothers-in-law Chris (Laura) and Scott (Leah) Davison; nephews Calvin Davison and Samson Whaley; nieces Lila, Claire and Emma Davison; several loving aunts, uncles, cousins, numerous close friends and countless brothers and sisters in the fire and EMS communities. 

     Andy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Larry Whaley Sr.

     A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 10, 2023, at the Lunda Community Center Field House, with a traditional fire funeral service and processional to follow. A benefit will be held for the family at 2 p.m. Nov. 11, 2023, at Carpi’s Bar in downtown Black River Falls.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Firefighter Cancer Support Network at firefightercancersupport.org. 

     The family offers a special thank you to Gundersen Health System and Moments Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance shown to Andy. 

     Torgerson’s Funeral Home of Black River Falls is assisting the family, 715-284-4321.