Lewis S. White

Lewis S. White, "Whitey," 78, longtime resident of Moses Lake, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 7, 2007. He was born in Prosser, Wash., on March 31, 1928, one of ten children to Gula and Willis White.

Lew was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Pauline White in March of 2000. Also preceding him in death are older brothers Donald and Howard. Surviving are brothers Joseph of Central Point, Ore., Warren of Tucson, Ariz., Robert of Vancouver, Wash., and Kenneth of Milton-Freewater, Ore. Surviving sisters are Vera Hansen of Spokane, Phyllis Mangano of Port Angeles, Wash., and Leila Dieu of Wickenberg, Ariz.

Lew was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Navy and honorably discharged in 1948. He was a member of the Moses Lake VFW post. Lewis was an avid fisherman and hunter and truly enjoyed living in Moses Lake. The local wildlife, such as the sage grouse and ring-necked pheasant in particular were animals that he would proudly point out-to-out of town guests. He built his house by hand with the help of family and friends completing it in 1977. No need for a mortgage as he saved money out of every paycheck for 27 years while working at the Boeing Company as a machinist in Renton and Seattle, where he received a commendation for outstanding work in 1969.

Lew had three daughters with second wife Virginia Frunk of Kent, Wash. They are Willa Oie of Mukilteo, Wash., Faith Golden of Ravensdale, Wash., and Cindy Brinkman of Kent. Step-children with his wife Mary Pauline are Pat Sande of McHenry, Ill., Ed Burditt of Mena, Ark., Wayne Burditt of Weaverville, Calif., and Mary Jagusiak of Yorba Linda, Calif. Lew had numerous grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He will be truly missed as his smile, sense of humor and friendliness touched many lives. May the Good Lord rest his soul now that he is free of the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease and dementia. We miss you buddy.

A memorial service and inurnment is set for Monday, March 5, at 1 p.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Covington, Wash. A reception will immediately follow at Lake Wilderness Country Club in Maple Valley, Wash. The family suggests memorials to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease at the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Moses Lake Christian Church or a charity of your choice.