John and Helen Ilsley Family Foundation |
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A genuine commitment can describe the Ilsleys’ dedication to giving to the University of Wyoming. The late John and Helen Ilsley believed in UW and wanted to contribute to its success. They have instilled in their children that same belief.
Harry Ilsley, son of the late John and Helen Ilsley, says outside of taking care of his family, UW is his number one priority when it comes to giving. Harry and his sisters Evelyn (Ilsley) Ebzery and Vicki Curren, donated $25,000 to the UW Department of Athletics through the John and Helen Ilsley Family Foundation. “The gift we gave to UW was nothing more than a continuation of what my parents believed in, and it’s a legacy not only for the university but to my parents as well,” says Ebzery. “My parents have a long history of giving to UW, and that’s because they believed in it, and it takes that belief across the state from many, many people to make the University of Wyoming as special as it is.”
When Ilsley was a child, his parents would always take him down to Laramie to watch the football and basketball games. “I remember the days we would drive from Sheridan to Laramie and back in one day just to watch UW football games. It’s a 600-mile trip,” Ilsley reminisces.
Ilsley and his father, John, were very involved with the Cowboy Joe Club. Ilsley served on the executive board for 25 years and served as president for 2 years. “We’ve always been involved with the UW athletic program, and that’s why we are interested in supporting it. We like to see improvements in the athletic facilities; that’s very important,” he explained. “They have done a remarkable job in the last two years, thanks to the legislature and the people at the university.” Ilsley expressed that he would also like to see the athletic program stay in the top division and will support the university to help do so.
“My family and I have always wanted the athletics program to excel and do well in competition,” adds Ebzery. “One way for that to happen is through financial support.”
Ilsley went on to say, “My sisters and I gave through the family foundation, and I also gave personally. I feel very fortunate to be in the position to give back. We feel very strongly about the university, and I think in the state of Wyoming it’s great to have only one university, with the state and people solidly behind it. I think that’s very important.”
John Ilsley obtained his law degree at the University of Wyoming and was a former UW baseball player. In January 1941, he and his wife Helen moved to Gillette, Wyoming where he began practicing law. In 1942 he filed to run for county and prosecuting attorney and in August was called into service in World War II. He was elected judge of the Fourth Judicial District in 1962. He served in that capacity for 12 years until he retired in 1975. Helen, attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and was a homemaker. They had three children together, Vicki Curren of Denver, Harry Ilsley and Evelyn Ebzery of Sheridan.
Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
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