Stanley Claire Sainsbury

Stanley Claire Sainsbury, 86, of Sunnyside, passed away June 1, 2008, in Yakima.

Stanley was born to Ben Sainsbury and Welhelmina (Carlson)Sainsbury on Aug. 11, 1921, in Union, Utah. He was raised in the Rexburg, Idaho area most of his youth and attended schools in Rexburg and Yakima. Stan served in the United States Navy as a Boswains mate from 1940-1946, seeing action in the South Pacific during WWII. In 1942 he married Geneva Cook in San Francisco, Calif. They were blessed with twin girls Norma Jean and Nancy Gale. Stan and Geneva divorced in 1944. Stan married Iris Stump in 1945 in Caldwell, Idaho. Stan and Iris had three sons: Clary, Phil and Lyle. Over the years they made their home in Prosser, Ephrata, Toppenish and Zillah. In 1978 Iris was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and passed away in 1987.

Stan worked 11 years for the Toppenish Police Department and 30 years for the Regulation Division of the State Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1984. Stan married Erma Graff in 1987 in Boise, Idaho and made their home in Zillah. Stan and Erma enjoyed many trips and adventures together during their marriage, including annual winter stays in Quartzsite, Ariz., with other trips around the United States. Stan was a longtime member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having held many positions including high priest and scoutmaster.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Erma Sainsbury of Sunnyside, Clary Stanley Sainsbury of Spokane, Phillip Markus Sainsbury of Murray, Utah, Lyle Ray Sainsbury of Moses Lake, daughters Gale Grady and Gene McElree, both of Omaha, Neb., stepsons Tim Graff and wife Sherri of Outlook and Dick Graff and wife Sandy of Othello, 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, and one brother Eldon Sainsbury of Las Vegas, Nev.

Stanley is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Iris (Stump) Sainsbury, six brothers, and four sisters. Viewing will take place Friday, June 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 7 at 11 a.m. at the Sunnyside Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will follow at Zillah City Cemetery in Zillah under the direction of Valley Hills Funeral Home.

The family wishes to thank the local DaVita staff for their years of care for Stan. Those wishing to honor Stan's memory can do so by donating to the American Diabetes Association.