William Hipner

William Hipner, 98, of Yakima passed away on June 3, 2017 at his residence, in his sleep, of natural causes.

Our dad was born on September 21, 1918 in Scobey, Montana to Eugenia & Jacob Hipner. He was the second oldest to eleven children. The family moved to the Wiley City area when he was about two. He has lived on the property since that time, except for his four years in the US Army during WWII.

He served from 1941 to 1945. He was serving in the Philippines when General McArthur made an appearance. He was then transferred to the island of Oahu at Kenoughe Bay. He was there when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Dad started working in orchards at a very early age. After the Army he worked for Brule and then Clasen's until he retired at seventy-seven.

In 1948 he met and married Edna Marrs who had moved here from Arkansas. She had three small daughters and a year later they added another daughter to the family.

Dad loved the outdoors. When not working, he was busy in his large garden in which he took a lot of pride. Never any rocks to be found in there and the dirt was worked so much it felt like baby powder. Never any footprints, including his own. We as kids were not allowed in the garden. He enjoyed fishing as a pastime.

Traveling back and forth to Arkansas became a yearly venture. Every trip was a different route so they really saw a lot of country. He was always active.

He is survived by his daughter, Lois Richmond of Cathlamet, WA, Dorthy Hatfield (Lonnie) of Yakima, WA, Barbara Evans (Jim), and Velma Woolley of Sherwood, OR. There are seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Helen, Carol and Shirley. He is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Edna; two great grandchildren, Scotty and Kaitlin Rose; five brothers, John, Chris, Andy, Joe and Jake; and two sisters, Madeline and Barbara.

A very special thank you to Linda Mutch with Home Care Services and Susan Myers from Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice for all of their care and compassion for dad.

Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 9, 2017 at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of William visit www.lepfuneralhome.com.