Tracy Wilson
Tracy Wilson, 90, of Ephrata, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Aug. 31, 2007, at the Veterans' Hospital in Spokane.
He was born on Feb. 22, 1917, in Lanard, Kan., to Fred and Jenny Wilson. Tracy grew up and lived most of his young life in Twin Falls, Idaho after his family moved there when he was 1 year old.
He attended school through the 10th grade, then had to quit in order to work to support himself.
In 1941 Tracy went into the U.S. Army Corps which eventually brought him to Ephrata in early 1942 to help establish the Ephrata Airbase. During this year he met the "love of his life," Pearl Moore. They married a few months later and he left the next day to serve in the European Theater for the next two-and-a-half years.
He achieved the rank of First Sergeant of the 361st service squadron of the 9th Air Force. Upon returning from the war he was honorably discharged in 1945.
Returning to civilian life, Tracy and Pearl started a home in Pearl's Hometown of Bozeman, Mont. Tracy Resumed the plumbing trade, which he learned as a young boy from his father and uncles in Idaho.
In 1950 Tracy and Pearl, with their two daughters, moved to Washington, living in Richland, Alderwood Manor, Moses Lake and Ephrata.
In 1963 Wilson Plumbing was established where he did much of the best work throughout Eastern Washington, retiring in 1983.
Tracy was a lifelong member of the Plumbers' Union No. 598, a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, El Katif Shriners, North Central Prospectors Club and square dance clubs. He was on the board of directors of the Ephrata Senior Center where he loved cards, activities, food and lots of nice people to tell stories and jokes to.
His greatest enjoyment was his love of nature which included camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, metal detecting, panning for gold, and just being with family or friends in the great outdoors.
Tracy was a wonderful husband, fantastic father, loving grandpa and a willing helper to anyone in need. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 65 years, Pearl; daughters, Carol and husband Ray Neff and Trudy and husband Mike Kellams; eight grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way; a sister, Rose Marie of Twin Falls, Idaho; numerous nieces and nephews and his much loved dog, Ryan.
Tracy was preceded in death by two brothers, Buck and Fred and a sister, Alice.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at New Life Christian School in Ephrata.
If desired, memorials may be made to the Veterans' Medical Center, 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, WA 99205 OR Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472.