Benny R. Gillett

Benny Ray Gillett, 67, of Rainier died Dec. 28, 2009, at the Hospice Care Center.

He was born May 23, 1942, in Tillamook, Ore. His parents were Jolene (Bartchy) Gillett, Benny Taylor and Norman Gillett (his stepfather, who raised him from the time he was 4 years old).

Benny graduated from high school in Seaside, Ore., in 1960. He moved to Rainier from Gearhart, Ore., in March 1976. He worked as a log scaler at Weyerhaeuser Co. for 43 years. He was a radio operator while in the Marines.

He and Marylou Mitchell were married on July 2, 1966, in Gresham, Ore. She preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 2004.

He enjoyed car racing in St. Helens for 15 years and had recently started cart racing with his grandson, Ryan. Benny also enjoyed going to the beach often and would sometimes just get up in the morning and drive for unknown adventures. He was always curious about what was over the next hill.

Benny had a great sense of humor.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Jon and Jody Gillett of St. Helens, Ore., and Steve and Anne Gillett of Longview; grandsons Mitch Chapell of Portland and Ryan and Zack Gillett, both of St. Helens; granddaughters Karly Gillett of Longview and Makayla Fortner of St. Helens; and brothers Butch Gillett of Forest Grove, Ore., and Terry Gillett of Vancouver.

Besides his wife, Benny also was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Longview Church of the Nazarene, 814 15th Ave., Longview. A fellowship time will be held directly after the service.

Memorial contributions can be made to Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

Groulx Family Mortuary is in charge.

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits.


This obituary was originally published in The Daily News (Longview, WA).