Wilfred John Watson

Wilfred John Watson, age 91, of Yakima, Washington, died June 27, 2016 in Yakima.

Wilfred was born April 2, 1925 in Thoeny, Montana to John & Elizabeth (Staples) Watson. He grew up helping his folks operate the family farm, but got out of there as soon as he could. From 1944 to 1947 he served in the United States Marine Corps. He served honorably with Platoon 769 as a machine gun crewman and was part of the invasion force at Okinawa, Japan. He worked for Reichhold Chemical in the California bay area. After moving from California to Glendale, Oregon he worked as pond monkey for Robert Dollar Company in Glendale. On October 29, 1967 in Wolf Creek he married Verdie May Parsons. Wilfred was the greatest thing to happen to her and her four daughters. In 2015 he moved from Sunny Valley to Yakima.

Wilfred was a member of Wolf Creek Alliance Community Church in Wolf Creek.

Wilfred helped begin work on a Sunny Valley church building. He especially enjoyed camping and fixing things. He loved his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Verdie May Watson of Sunny Valley, Oregon; son, Mike Watson of Aloha, Oregon; daughter, Cherryl Caward of Sandy, Oregon; three stepdaughters, Susan Converse of Wolf Creek, Oregon, Linda Burris of Oklahoma, and Carol Simon of Selah, Washington; grandchildren, Anna, Merlene, David, Helena, Katie, Michelle, Desiree, Peter, Adam, Heather, Brian, Karina and Faith; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Bridget, Seth, Nathan, Emily, Megan, Elizabeth, Tatem, Toby, Stryder, Zane, Eloise, Rowan, Joy, Charis, Katrina, Blaize, David, Isaiah and Bryce.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Helena Burris; stepdaughter, Diane Pickett; his parents; and 9 siblings, Clifford, Wesley, Elsie, Viola, Ella Mae, Wilma, Grace, Jim and Earl.

A memorial service with military honors will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Orchard Park, Activity Room, 620 N 34th, 3rd Floor, Yakima, Washington.

A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 8, 2016 at Wolf Creek Alliance Community Church with Pastor Doug Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Wolf Creek Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.