Elmer Hays

Lifetime Waitsburg resident, Elmer Hays, 86, passed away Oct. 1, 2012, at his home. One of 10 children, Elmer was born Nov. 7, 1928, in Waitsburg, to Robert and Elsie Sieckman Hays.

He graduated from Waits- burg High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy as a frogman during WWII and was called back to serve in the Korean War.

He worked on sea-go- ing tug boats in the Pacific Ocean, between the Bering Sea, Alaska and down to California.

He returned to the Waits- burg area where he did farm work. On November 8, 1963, he and Joan Raymond mar- ried in Kennewick, Wash- ington.

Elmer then became maintenance superintendent for the city of Waitsburg, serving the city and its residents for 24 years, retiring December 31, 1992.

His dogs, Cricket or San- dy, would often accompany him in his truck for work. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved to cook and bake and enjoyed sharing his pies with neigh- bors and friends, his home always being open to friends and family.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Joan, at home; two brothers: Russell (Diane) Hays of McCleary, Washing- ton and Robert (Cay) Hays of Yakima, Washington. He was preceded in death by his par- ents, Robert and Elsie Hays; three sisters: Doris Williams, Betty Elder and Roberta Hays; and four brothers: Howard, Kenneth, Richard, and Wilbur Hays.

The memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, at Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, Wash..

Pastor Skip Pritchard of the College Place Presbyte- rian Church will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Katsel, Jerry Gales, Ervin Hays and Don Elder. A luncheon will follow at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Waits- burg Ambulance Service, Walla Walla Community Hospice, Waitsburg High School Scholarship Fund or other personal choice through the funeral home.

Friends may write memories and sign the online guestbook at www.mountainview- colonialdewitt.com

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