LeeRoy Whitney, age 85 died in Kennewick, Washington on January 8, 2006 to reside in God’s garden with his wife Willo and sons Ronald and Russell.

LeeRoy was born on April 4, 1920 in Dayton, Washington. He lived and worked on his father’s farm in Dayton. In 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was assigned to Company F, 161st Infantry Division, in Fort Lewis Washington. He was honorably discharged from the Army on July 25, 1941. Following his discharge from the military he worked as storekeeper at the Walla Walla Army Air Base and then later at the Dayton Cannery where, in 1944 he met his bride to be, Willo Erickson of Spokane Washington. He then moved to Spokane where he completed an electrical apprenticeship and was married to Willo in Couerd'Alene, Idaho on March 17, 1945. LeeRoy and Willo moved to Richland in 1945 where their first of seven children was born. He spent the next 40 years of his life working in the electrical trade at Hanford and at times on the road when necessary to support his family. LeeRoy was a member of the IBEW Local 112, Electrical Workers Union joining in 1948. In 1955 he moved his family from Pasco to a farm near Prosser, Washington where he and his family lived until moving to Richland in 1961.

LeeRoy had many hobbies throughout his lifetime including hunting and fishing and even auto racing. He enjoyed all aspects of life including dancing, big band music, playing pinochle and occasionally playing the slot machines he loved to hear the coins drop. He also loved animals, especially his horses and dogs. He also loved going for evening drives with Willo, just to get away for a while and enjoy the beauty of God’s green earth. He became an avid gardener and would work the garden even when he was physically unable to. LeeRoy, a father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, will be missed by many.

He is survived by his children Thomas and his wife Debra of Kennewick, Wallace of Kennewick, Gerald and his wife Lauri of West Richland, Karen and her husband Gary of Richland, and Edward of West Richland, thirteen grandchildren; Stacy, Eric, Heather, Amber, Holly, Justin, Amosean, Marie, Brandon, Claire, Emma, Willow, and Josephine, and seventeen great grandchildren; Tasha, Chase, Jordana, Logan, Jordan, Henry, Sam, Jake, Brooke, Olivia, Jaiden, Riley, Ava, Camille, Presley, Chloe, and Owen.

A graveside committal will be held on January 14, 2006 at 10:00 AM at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland Washington followed by a memorial service at Einan’s Funeral Home at 11:00 AM. All are invited to celebrate LeeRoy’s life following the memorial at the Richland Knights of Columbus located at 2500 Chester Rd. in Richland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Ave, Kennewick WA. 99336

God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And when it comes to my last cast, Then I most humbly pray, When in the Lord’s safe landing net I’m peacefully asleep, That in His mercy I be judged As big enough to keep.