SUNNYSIDE, WASH. – Francis J. Wattenbarger, 90, died Nov. 22, 2011, after a brief illness.
He was born Oct. 21, 1921, in Half Moon Bay, Calif., to Grover and Daisey Wattenbarger, Mabton, Wash. On Jan. 26, 1946, he married Katie Kinkade in Sunnyside, Wash., who died.
He was a longtime resident and farmer in the Glade Community in the Horse Heaven Hills of Southern Washington. He graduated from Mabton High School and shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, proudly serving his country in the Pacific Theater.
Surviving are a son, Larry (and spouse Dena), Bourbon; a daughter-in-law, Kay, Sunnyside, Wash.; He was preceded in death by his son, Kirk, who died in 2004 from ALS, and a great-grandson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in Francis name be made to ALS Association, and Kyle’s Klass.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Burial will follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, Wash.
