Leslie 'Art' Williss

Leslie "Art" Williss, 82, of Soap Lake left us to join his family and friends in heaven on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007.

Art was bom in Smith County, Kan., on May 17, 1924, to Charles Sr. and Nellie Williss. The youngest of four children, Art is survived by a brother, Charles Williss Jr., of Colorado, and a sister, Helen Carter, of Smith Center, Kan.

He was a WW II veteran serving in England and Germany. After serving in the Army Air Corps, he won a Roza Land Grant lottery in Grandview, Wash. He fulfilled the requirements for the grant, married Shirley from Kansas, and homesteaded the land where Amy was born. After Shirley was killed in a tragic automobile accident, Art sold the property and returned with Amy to Kansas, where he met and married his wife Donna. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day this year.

In 1954, they moved to Washington, living in Othello and Renton. He retired from Boeing after 30 years of service. Art and Donna then returned to the part of the state they loved the most in May of 1986.

Art enjoyed hiking the coulees, fishing Soda Lake, planting his garden-lovingly giving his vegetables away.

His greatest love was his family: his wife Donna, their son John and his wife Donna of Soap Lake, daughters, Amy and her husband Bob of Assaria, Kansas, Sue of Marysville, and Michelle and her husband David of Soap Lake; nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.

Services will be held at the Ephrata American Legion Hall at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 31, with graveside service following at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Office of Development 1501 N.W. 9th Ave. Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494