Phillip J. Ramey

1925 - 2009

April 16, 1925-March 1, 2009

Phill James Ramey passed away March 1, 2009, in Longview of natural causes.

He was born in St. Maries, Idaho, to James and Hazel Ramey, one of five children. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Peggey, Pauline and Phillis, and is survived by his sister, Patty Joe of Chehalis. Phill was preceded in death in 1993 by his first wife, Betty, and by his daughter, Midge, in 2008. He is survived by his sons, Terry and Rick, both in Woodland and Lloyd in Longview. He also had 16 grandchildren and over 30 great-grandchildren. At his time of passing, Phill was married to Donna, who also has four children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Phill grew up in the northern pan handle of Idaho, working mostly in the woods as a logger. In his youth he joined the Navy and proudly served his country during World War II in the South Pacific earning multiple medals of distinction. After the War, he moved back to Idaho with his wife Betty and held jobs as a truck driver, grater operator, tree faller, tree topper, mechanic, machinist, and most any other job associated with logging. He moved with his wife to Hydesville, Calif., in the early 1970's to work in a sawmill as a mechanic and millwright. After a work related accident Phill retired to Woodland, where he lived on Green Mountain, working part time jobs as a fabricator, mechanic and machine operator.

After the passing of his wife in 1993, Phill found himself in Alaska, again working in logging camps, operating graters, dozers and as a mechanic. Upon leaving Alaska, Phill remarried to Donna Fox and settled in Longview. During his time in Longview Phill held numerous jobs: broker, tool repair technician, eventually owning and running his own tool shop.

Phill had numerous interests in life and enjoyed them to their entirety. He was a great fan of family genealogy, United States history, reading, John Wayne, and learning about Native American history and culture. During his retirement time, Phill was also able to travel to the East Coast of the United States and attend family reunions there, visiting the roots of the Ramey family and getting to know many relatives. Phill also took great pride in recently becoming a life member of the Kelso Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3017.

Phill passed while under the care of Hospice. Donations may be made in his honor to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at The Promise Christian Center, 101 Hillshire Drive (off Lewis River Road) in Woodland.

Arrangements are by Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home.

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