Wilford Theodore 'Red' Stidman

Red passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009 at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, WA at the age of 80.

He was born August 30, 1929 to Alfred and Mattie Stidman in Racine, Wisconsin. Red had 13 siblings and grew up in Arkansas. In 1946, Red joined the United States Marine Corps and served as an M.P.

On September 17, 1948, he married Janis Marie Wooten in Craig Head County, Arkansas. His loving wife preceded him in death August 9, 2008. After Red was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, he and Janis continued to live in Arkansas, where they started their family. They moved to Washington in 1953. Red became a police officer for the city of Orville. They settled in Ephrata in 1956. He and his loving and supportive wife owned and operated several small businesses over the years including a gas station, a security business and a plumbing business. In 1974, Red was Acting Chief of Police for the City of Soap Lake. Red worked for the Ephrata School District for many years as a bus driver, custodian, maintenance, and school security.

Red was very active in his community and church. He loved fishing, camping and spending time with family and friends. He served as a member of the Grant County Sheriff’s Posse for many years. He had morning coffee several times a week with his friend of many years, Oliver Furman.

Red is survived by three sisters; Juanita (Ronnie) Harris, Arkansas, Charity J. Wuichet, Arkansas and Sue Anderson, Spokane, Wa.; six children; Wilford Dean Stidman, Ephrata, Patti (Gail) Clark, East Wenatchee, Dennis (Susan) Stidman, Omak, Terry (Evelyn) Stidman, Spirit Lake, Idaho, Gary (Dianna) Stidman, Quincy, Myra (Richard) Wentworth, Ephrata, 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Red was preceded in death by his parents, 10 siblings, one child, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.

Graveside services, with military honors, is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Valley View Memorial Park in Soap Lake, WA. at noon a memorial service will be held at the Ephrata High School Commons area. If you have photos or stories to share, or need directions, please contact Myra Wentworth.