Earl Eugene "Clem" Wilms

1931 - 2024

Mt Vernon - Dad took his very first and his last breath in Mt Vernon, Wa. Born on his father's birthday, Earl was the only child of Earl Wilms and Mary Harris Wilms. His family roots run deep in the Skagit Valley. As a youngster growing up in Mt Vernon his family gave him the nickname of "Skeeter". He shared fond memories fishing on Big Lake with his Granpa Gene Harris, riding on Grandpa Albert Wilms shoulders to witness the opening of the Deception Pass Bridge, or visits to Great Granma P. J. Pederson's house to sample her fresh baked goodies. By the time Earl was school age, he had moved to Oregon with his mom and stepdad. They made their home in Klamath Falls, Coquille, and finally Astoria where he graduated from high school. After high school, Earl got a job on a Coast and Geodetic Survey Ship, the USS.PCS-1450, Hodgson US. He enjoyed traveling up and down the coast of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska making lifelong friends with some of his crew mates who nicknamed him "Clem". It was during this time that he met his bride to be, Belle (Billie) Marie Thorson. They married in Edmonds, Wa. in November, 1953,

and started a family with the birth if their daughter, Dana, in November of 1954, and a son, Dale, born in July of 1956. In the early 1960's, the family moved to a small rural farm in Alderwood Manor, Wa. This would be their home for the next three decades. Earl was employed by Bell Telephone in the 1950's, then GTE, and retired from Verizon in 1988. It was in 1988, Earl and Billie made their last home together in Mt Vernon. They spent their retirement years camping, fishing, and crabbing with friends and family. Earl was a member of a local steam engine club and took much pride in displaying his restored "Hit and Miss" Engines at shows across the country. He spent many hours 'tinkering' in his shop, building parts on his metal lathe, and fixing just about anything that landed on his work bench. Earl remained in his home until 2019, when he moved to Mt Glen Retirement Community in Mt. Vernon. He looked forward to every spring when the Mallard ducks returned to raise another batch of ducklings. He lived a long, full life, on his own terms, independent, until a stroke on June 4th changed everything. Our family thanks the staff and residents of Mt Glen for the kindness, support, and friendship extended to Dad over the past five years. Also, thank you to the staff of Skagit Valley Hospital and Life Care Center of Mt. Vernon for their compassionate and professional care. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Billie. He is survived by son Dale (Jay) Wilms, daughter Dana (Rick) Moon, grandchildren Jeremy (Amanda) Wilms, Sarah (Davey) Anderson, Travis and Nathan Moon, and great grandchildren Mitchell, Henry, Isla, and Piper. Those who knew Dad described him as a character. He had quite the sense of humor exemplified by the brass belt buckle he wore for decades. Earl insisted on wearing it so he would never forget his name. We will never forget you, dad, forever in our hearts.