Lester Bannish

Lester Allen Bannish who is better known as “Lec” or “Macaroni,” 89, a longtime resident of the Mill Creek area of Raymond, passed away at his home in the presence of family on Friday December 22, 2023. Lec was born September 24, 1934, in Raymond, Washington to Stanley and Elva (Pennington) Bannish.

Lec attended Willapa Valley High School where he participated in football, basketball and track and field. He graduated in 1953. In 1956, Lec was drafted into the US Army where he served in Germany. He married Nancy Meadows in 1958, they had two children together and later divorced. Lec married Phyllis “Becky” Cobb in 1966. She had four children, and they made their home in the Mill Creek area of Raymond where they raised their family.

Lec had a long 39-year career working as a log truck driver for Weyerhaeuser. He is part of the million-mile club and displayed his plaque proudly on his wall at home. He enjoyed getting outdoors as much as possible. He loved hunting, clam digging, fishing, cutting firewood, driving the logging roads, riding his quad, and using his tractor on his property. He enjoyed visiting his children, brothers Laurence Bannish and Stanely “Jim” Bannish, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whether it be just visiting with each of them, a quick phone call to say “Hello! Ok. Love ya, bye.” or attending their various activities. He was honest, kind, funny, supportive, and dependable.

Lec is survived by his beloved dog Boo Boo; his two children, Rodney Bannish, and Debbie (Greg) Williams; three stepchildren, Marla (Lonnie) Bessonette, Riki (Keith) Beamer, and Johnnie Johnson and one brother, Stanley “Jim” Bannish. He is also survived by twenty grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. Lec is preceded in death by his wife Phyills “Becky” Bannish, both of his parents Stanley and Elva Bannish, his brother Laurence Bannish, and stepdaughter Elinor “Lynn” Albrecht. Lec will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A graveside service will be held on Saturday January 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo with a reception to follow at the Willapa Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to our local EMS services. Our family would like to say “Thank You” to everyone at the Raymond Fire Department and the staff at the Willapa Harbor Hospital who helped care for Lec in his final days.