Richard, 82, stepped into Heaven May 8, 2019 with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eyes and a happy tear; with family by his side at home. Wow what a guy! Richard was born June 26, 1936 in Chewelah, WA to Harry Bryce Wilson and Naomi Mina (Nelson) Wilson. Richard joined a family of three incredible sisters: Harriet, 2 1/2 years older, Irene, 1 year older, and Sandy, 3 1/2 years younger. Family is everything to Richard. He was raised on Keyes Road, Yakima (Terrace Heights). He graduated from Moxee High School in 1955. After graduation, Richard worked at the Boise Cascade Box Factory in Naches with his father.
Dick married Kay (Katharine Jean) Johnson on Sept. 5, 1959 in Yakima, WA. This year they were looking forward to their 60th wedding anniversary. They are blessed with five children: Harry Bryce, Archie, John, Naomi and Daniel. He has 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Characteristics: Richard was blessed with: a healthy heart and healthy organs, a full head of healthy hair all his days, the strength of Atlas, beautiful blue eyes, no wrinkles on his face, beautiful skin, patience, endurance, pleasing and congenial personality, great sense of humor, teaser, “worker bee” (he always had a to-do list on a small notebook in his pocket), easy to get along with, kind, thoughtful, dependable, loyal, faithful, modest, trustworthy, thrifty and yet very generous, a great leader among people and a good example of serving and loving his family, church members, friends and neighbors.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1959 and served 2 years for his country. He was deployed to the Gulf of Mexico, serving during the incident of the Bay of Pigs crisis. He was honorably discharged, never received a demerit and was released one month early for good behavior. He was employed at Layman Lumber Company in Naches for 43 years.
He owned Bark Mulch Supply and hauled bark mulch, mill ends and hog fuel throughout Yakima County.
Dick was very industrious. At 14 years old, he bought a Model A Ford, disassembled the whole thing, put it back together and got it running. While in high school at age 15, Dick purchased a fixer-upper house, repaired and sold it; he purchased, raised and sold 8 head of cattle. He loved building and built our family home at age 25. As each of our children purchased their homes, he helped them remodel their homes. The craftsmanship of his hands are seen in each of his children’s homes and very much in his own home.
Richard loves Jesus Christ. His faith made his spirit glow from within. He attended church with his Grandma Mae Nelson growing up. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965 and served as a loving, committed, willing, faithful servant.
Talents and skills: He loved music, sang in the church choir, played the trumpet in high school band and first trumpet in the U.S. Army Band. He had vision in creating, inventing and building and making things: practical and useful. Richard made granola and awesome, fluffy waffles that are “out of this world” delicious. He would make stacks of waffles and share them. They were a family favorite. Likes: the outdoors, sunrises, sunsets, blossoms, trees, eagles, hawks, camping, hunting, his “hobby” orchard of fruit trees: cherry, apple, pear, nectarine, peaches, Arkansas plums, and Italian prune. Raised raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes (lady fingers and concords), and currants. He bought cattle at the auctions, rented pasture, raised for the summer, slaughtered it in the fall and dressed and wrapped it in the freezer. He always loved dogs. In his late 70s, he still mowed his lawn and rental lawns between renters, running behind the mower with full throttle. Dick owned a snow blower and loved to use it, he would clear the sidewalks, driveways and make additional paths for schoolchildren, the mailman and a pathway for the garbage can. He even cleared the neighbor’s driveway and sidewalks. Church Callings:Helped in the honey house canning honey. In Primary: worked in the nursery, taught the Targeteer Class, Cub Scout Committee Member, Webelos Leader; as scoutmaster, built tables, kitchen units, things to prepare the scouts for a Worldwide Encampment at Farragut, ID; served as counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency to Mick Little; served in the Seventy Quorum for 14 years as a Stake Missionary; High Priest Group Leader, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric to Del Holden and Karl Hendricks and served 2 years on a Stake Mission in the Yakima LDS Employment Office. Service to Fellowman: Dad helped sick people with yard work, willingly volunteered with a good attitude for service projects. Loved to do handyman projects. All his grandsons believed he could fix anything. He helped three Eagle Scout sons with Eagle Service Projects. Dick was sensitive to widows’ needs in their to-do lists and when beckoned, he would be right there.
Richard is survived by the love of his life, his supportive, loving, eternal wife of 59 years, Kay, and their four children, Harry Bryce, John (Noreen), Naomi, and Daniel (Luz) Wilson; a sister, Sandra (Joe) Edwards, 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by a son, Archie, sisters, Harriet Rothwell and Irene (Carroll) Thompson, and a great-granddaughter, Elyse Wilson.
Viewing is Friday, May 10th, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. Graveside Service is Saturday, May 11th at 9:00 AM at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Memorial Service is Saturday, May 11th at 10:30 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 705 S. 38th Ave., Yakima.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.6