Rudolph Conrad 'Rudy' Willging

Rudolph Conrad "Rudy" Willging, age 87, died on March 27, 2008, at the Avalon Care Center in Othello.

Rudy was born on Nov. 26, 1920, in Ruff, Wash., to John and Katherine (Zacker) Willging. He attended school in Wheeler until his freshman year in high school when he left to work on the family farm.

During WW II Rudy served in a tank destroyer unit serving on the front line. He later moved to the motor pool where German POWs worked under him. Rudy received a letter of commendation from Gen. Eisenhower for his work along with good conduct, occupation, victory and European Service medal. He left France in 1946 and was honorably discharged on July 2, 1946.

Rudy moved to Springdale where he raised cattle. He met Thelma Hill Fadness at a Spokane dance. They married on June 20, 1956. Rudy then went to work for Kaiser Trentwood in Spokane for seven years.

In 1962 they moved to the Columbia Basin where Rudy worked on area missile sites, raised cattle and changed sprinklers, often working 16-hour days to support his family. He then went to work for the irrigation district, retiring from there.

Rudy was a lifetime member of the good Sams club, the North American Hunting Club, the VFW, Adams County Sheriff's posse, the Eagles lodge, the AAA RV Club and was a charter member of the WW II Veteran Memorial Society.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Thelma Willging of Othello, two sons, Rudy Willging of Seattle and Lloyd John Willging of Wilsonville, Ore., three stepchildren, Lorna ann Cruser, Lynn O. Fadness, Leanna Irene Hocking, nine great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Now that soldier who spent his 25th birthday on the front lines in Germany has passed on to the better place.