Obituaries for the day of June 16, 2010

Published 1:36 pm Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Cox, Davis, Hammond, Scott, Johnson

William ‘Bill’ A. Cox

Union

1946-2010

William “Bill” Arthur Cox, 63, of Union, died June 13 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. Private family services are planned. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Bill was born July 3, 1946, to Elmer Martin and Florence Jenafie Marvin Cox in Homer, N.Y. In August 1968 he married Mary Knickerbocker in Pharsalia, N.Y. After the death of his wife, Bill moved to Union.

He was a chef by profession who loved to cook. At one time in his life he was a shoemaker in Courtland, N.Y.

Those who knew him say he was devoted to his family and made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed traveling. He was an ordained minister.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Billie Sue Waters of La Grande; son, William Jr. of Greenwood, S.C.; one grandson; one granddaughter; sister, Joan and her husband, Ralph Hitchcock, of Chestertown, N.Y.; brother, Merl and his wife, Ella May Cox, of Norwich, N.Y.; sister, Yvonne and her husband, Edward Aldridge, of Tucson, Ariz.; brother, David and his wife, Pat Cox, of Georgetown, N.Y.; sister, Carol and her husband, Charlie Mitcham, of Lewiston, Maine; and 32 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, who died Oct. 9, 2004; his parents; sister, Eleanor Moorehouse; and brothers, Jr. “Marty” Cox, Dewitt Cox and Larry Cox.

Wilda M. Davis

Enterprise

1927-2010

Wilda M. Davis, 83, of Enterprise, died June 2 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital.

Wilda was born Jan. 19, 1927, to Bill and Goldie Pullen at Wallowa. A funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Enterprise Christian Church. Burial will follow at Enterprise Cemetery.

Wilda married Lewis Carper in 1945 and they had a daughter, Darlene. She later married Virgil Davis in 1950.

Virgil and Wilda bought Ned’s Drive-In in Enterprise in 1961. Wilda and her mom made homemade pies and soft ice cream. They later bought Pete and Mary’s restaurant in Joseph.

Wilda is survived by her daughter, Darlene Hansen; stepson, Johnnie Davis; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Bernadine Hawley and Shirley Kirby; and brother, Bill Pullen.

Michelle Hammond

Union

1980-2010

Michelle Hammond, 30, of Union, died June 12 at Grande Ronde Hospital. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Thursdayat the Union Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Union Stock Show Grounds.

Michelle was born April 1, 1980, to Gary Bingham and Rayetta Thomas in Baker. She grew up in Richland. When she was in the sixth grade the family moved to Union where she graduated from high school. She worked as a flagger for ODOT for many years and said it was her favorite job she ever held.

She married Rick Hammond in Union 10 years ago. Those who knew her say she was a dedicated wife and mother and was involved with the many activities her children participated in.

Michelle loved anything and everything to do with the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing and camping, but her passions were hunting and hunting for horns.

Survivors include her husband, Rick Hammond of Union; children, Ty Hammond, Levi Hammond and Hailey Hammond, all of Union; mother and stepfather, Rayetta Thomas and Gerald Lequerica of La Grande; father, Gary Bingham of Wallowa; father-in-law, Matt Hammond of La Grande; mother-in-law, Teri Doors of Oklahoma; sisters, Denise Forneigh of Wallowa, Dianna Bingham of Wallowa and Denelle Bingham of La Grande; uncles, John and David Thomas of Halfway; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins;and other relatives.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the NRA or the Halfway Rodeo in care of Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center, 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande.

Ralph K. Scott

Joseph

1921-2010

Ralph K. Scott, 88, of Joseph, died June 9 at Wallowa Valley Care Center. At his request, there will be no services.

Ralph was born Aug. 17, 1921, to David and Estella (Huffman) Scott in Joseph. He graduated from Wallowa High School in 1939. He married Jean Williams Nov 2, 1941.

He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Ralph had a long and rewarding career as a CPA. Upon graduation from University of Oregon, he began work in Walla Walla. In 1950, he moved to Kennewick to open the first branch office. He was a founding partner of Niemi, Holland and Scott. He served as chairman of the Washington State Board of Accountants and retired from active practice in 1986.

He loved horses and was active in the Benton County Mounted Posse, winning a saddle in 1961. He bred and raced quarter horses. Other interests were flying, football and golf. He and his wife, Jean, were longtime members of the Tri-City Country Club, enjoying many friends and rounds of golf. They were avid U of O Duck fans and attended many games. He also enjoyed family, travel and a good story. He returned to his birth place in 2006 to live his last few years in the beautiful Wallowa Mountains.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; brother, Harold and his wife, Katie; daughter, Linda Sutch and Janet Terrill; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Virgil, Noel and Kenneth; and sisters, Lena Turner, Eunice Burgett and Ethel Gray.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wallowa Valley Care Center in care of Bollman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 547, Enterprise 97828.

Sherri J. Johnson

La Grande

Sherri Jean Johnson, 53, of La Grande, died June 13 at her home. The recitation of the holy rosary will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center. The Mass of Christian burial will begin at

11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Burial will follow at the Hillcrest East Cemetery.A full obituary will be available later.

The Observer publishes free obituaries as a community service. Obituaries are edited to fit news guidelines. Photos are encouraged. Paid space is available for families who would like to include more information. Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation and Life Celebration Center posts unedited obituaries at www.danielsknopp.com, and Loveland Funeral Chapel and Crematory posts obituaries at www.lovelandfuneralchapel.com.