William "Tony" LeRoy Alley's Obituary
William “Tony” LeRoy Alley
Lakeland – William “Tony” LeRoy Alley, 87, passed away October 17, 2022.
Tony was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 9, 1935, to the late Daniel and Helen Alley. He proudly served as a U.S. Marine with distinction during the Korean Conflict. After his military service, Tony attended the University of Kansas before moving to Los Angeles. There he graduated from the acting program of the Pasadena Playhouse. When he grew tired of the “cattle call” auditions, he decided to work behind the scenes with Local 33. For many years he was a “road man” with various productions or a stagehand in the theaters there before finally becoming an IATSE member in 1969. Over his 42-year IATSE career that spanned the continent from Los Angeles to New York and ultimately Orlando, Brother Alley worked as a Propmaker, Property Person, and Special Effects Technician. Tony worked for the likes of Warner Brothers, Disney, Columbia, Paramount, Ice Capades, Ice Follies, and many others, as well in live theatre with the Civic Center of Los Angeles.
Once in Orlando, he was part of the opening of Walt Disney World, working as its first Technical Director. When he felt that the technicians were not being treated fairly, he quit the company and went to work with Local 631 and organized for their first contract with Disney World. When 631 went into Trusteeship, he was appointed to be one of the trustees, helping to steer the local back on course.
After his retirement from the working crafts, he was hired as an International Representative under President Walter Diehl and worked under three more International Presidents until his retirement in 2011. As an IATSE Rep, Brother Alley helped found not only Local 477, but also Local 491 up the coast and the animators Local at Disney Studios (now part of 631). At various times in his working life, he was also a member of Local 558.
Upon his retirement from the IATSE in 2011, Tony was honored by a Gold Card from the International awarded at a Local 477 membership meeting in Fort Lauderdale, as well as a gold watch presented by Local 631 and a retirement celebration held in Wilmington by Local 491.
Married to Local 477 Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Flesher in 1987, Nancy and Tony lived for many years in Kissimmee, Florida, later moving to Lakeland in 2018. Tony loved to work around the house and yard, maintaining and repairing their properties and always tending to Nancy’s “Honey Do” list.
All who spent any time with Tony will undoubtedly remember two things about him – that he was a gentleman, and his stories of “back in the day” working at one of the networks or on some assignment for the International President.
Tony is survived by his wife, Nancy Flesher; son, Ren Flesher (Debi); grandsons, Ren Flesher, Jr. (Selena) and Ryan Flesher; granddaughter, Natalie Gonzales (Andrew); and great-granddaughters, Callie and Tatum. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Dan.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 1 pm at Gentry Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, FL 33801.
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