Isaiah Deandre Pulley

Isaiah Pulley, age 18, was born on Wednesday, December 5, 2007. On Friday, February 20, 2026, he entered eternal rest, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, big dreams, and more than a few perfectly timed sarcastic comments.Isaiah was a senior at Willow Springs High School, where he was known for his intelligence, sharp wit, and the kind of humor that could catch you off guard and have you laughing before you realized what happened. He was wickedly funny, naturally stubborn (and rarely wrong, if you asked him), and soft-hearted, though he certainly didn’t want everyone to know it. He had a way of loving people that made them feel chosen.He loved collecting seashells, something he frequently did with his Mom. He liked to pretend they were for her, and was slightly embarrassed if anyone thought otherwise, but she knows the truth… and she’ll keep his secret.From the time he was small, Isaiah had one clear plan: to join the military, ultimately choosing the United States Air Force; so he could fly unmanned aircraft. He spoke about it with pride and intense determination, mapping out a future of service from a young age with unwavering purpose.Isaiah was an avid gamer and could absolutely hold his own. He built friendships through headsets and late night sessions, sharing laughs that echoed far beyond the screen and often through the entire house.He genuinely enjoyed his job at Papa John’s, where his coworkers appreciated both his work ethic and his personality. He showed up, and no doubt kept things interesting along the way.Summers spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his Aunts Tab and Beth were among his happiest times. The mountains gave him space to breathe, explore, laugh, learn, and simply be himself something he did very well.And then there was his 2010 Chevy Colorado. That truck wasn’t just a truck; it was his thing. He loved working on it, talking about it, and making sure everyone knew exactly what had been done to it. The time spent alongside Richard, whom he proudly called “Padre’” and Hunter wasn’t just about the truck. It was about connection, conversation, and probably a little friendly (and sometimes passionate) debate about how things should be done.He is lovingly remembered by his mother, Rebecca Merckel and husband Richard; his father, Andre Pulley and wife Stephanie; his siblings, Katelyn Merckel and Gabriel Pulley; his adored fur siblings, Rylie, Blu, and Midnight; his grandmothers, Diane Holland and Sandra Parker; his aunts, Tabitha Alliss and wife Beth, Valerie Loeslie and husband Ryan, and Tahne’ Harrington; his uncle, David Everhart and wife Stephanie; and Hunter and Bianca Beckwith, who loved and cared for him as if he were their own.He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Douglas Buckland, and his beloved Aunt Jahne’ Pulley.Isaiah was bright, determined, compassionate, and unforgettable. He was the kind of young man who could make you laugh when you really wanted to cry, and yet stand firm in what he believed. His life, though far too short, was full of meaning, personality, and love.And if he were here right now, he would probably tell us “not to make a fuss.” So instead, we celebrate him: the jokes, the stubbornness, the dreams, the mountains, the truck, the animals he loved, and the huge heart behind it all.Kid, you were loved beyond measure, will be missed beyond comprehension. The world just isn’t the same without you here.

Thank you,Rebecca Merckel