Wesley John Wakefield went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 1, 2014 after enjoying 95 years on this earth. Wes was born November 21, 1918 in East St. Louis, IL to Ray and Bertha Tojo Wakefield. Wes was a distinguished World War II veteran, having fought in Italy with the 5th Army, 349 Infantry, 88th Division, B Company. Included among his military awards are the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct medal. After returning from the war, he and his wife Louise moved to Tyler, Texas where they lived for over 50 years. His personal relationship with the Lord was central in Wes's life. He loved leading song services in a number of churches over the years. After Wes retired as a welder, he took on another career as a driver for DeHaven Eye Associates in Tyler where he retired again. In 2008 Wes & Louise moved to Richland, WA to be nearer to their family. He loved the mountains and was happy to be in the Pacific NW where he could visit them often.
Wes was preceded in death by his children; daughter Berneice E. Hasty Wayne, of The Woodlands, TX, son James W. Wakefield Judy of Longview, TX, and grandson David W. Hasty of Conroe, TX. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Louise Wakefield, grandsons Brad Hasty Tracy of Richland, WA, Mark Hasty Kim of Richland, WA, and Weston Wakefield Erica of Irving, TX. He also had several great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Wes had many other "adopted" grandchildren people that thought of him as their grandfather. Special to him was Renea Caldwell of Tyler, Texas, whom he thought of as a daughter. He will be missed by each and every one of them.