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BORN
1941
DIED
2025
Wymer Braaksma Obituary
October 28, 1941 - August 9, 2025
Former long-time Longview resident Wymer 'Bill' Braaksma left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family on August 9, 2025. Bill was born in Vrowenparochie, Friesland, Netherlands and immigrated to the U.S. in 1954 with his parents, Pieter and Tryntje and younger brother Klaas (Chuck). Bill attended Monticello Junior High and RA Long High School, graduating in 1960. Bill married Linda Lanphear in 1967 and raised 2 daughters. He worked at the Reynolds Metals Longview plant for over 25 yrs as a guard and later an EMT. Over the years Bill was a member of the Longview Masonic Lodge and Kelso First Presbyterian Church where he supported missions around the Northwest. He loved growing a garden every year and in later years, he grew Christmas trees. Bill also enjoyed farming. For a time he had a small sheep herd and pastured cattle in the spring/summer at the base of Mt Solo. Additionally, he took tremendous pride in the hundreds of projects he completed that showcased his craftmanship and design. In 2008, Bill and his current wife Cathy (Winmill) moved to Fircrest, WA. Bill is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughters, Laurie Braaksma (Mark Tompkins) Prosser, WA and Lynn Louden (Paul); grandchildren, Connor & Anne Louden and Gig Harbor, WA; brother, Chuck (Elaine) Braaksma, Longview, WA, niece, nephews, 4 stepchildren, and 9 step-grandchildren. Bill's celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Roy H. Murphy Community Center, 115 Ramsdell St., Fircrest, WA.
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