Alta "Doc" William Halliday

Alta William "Doc" Halliday, age 85, of La Grande, died April 26, 2014 at a local care facility. Viewing will be held at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. A funeral will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene in La Grande.Doc was born on September 2, 1928 in Westport, Washington to Charles and Elsie Mae (Carlock) Eskridge. He was later raised by his step-father, George Raymond Halliday. His younger life was spent in boxcars, orphanages and chicken coops. He attended school through the 8th grade in Seattle. In 1946 he and his brother, Clint, enlisted into the military together. Doc served with the Navy during 1946 and 1947 on the USS Vesole in Japan, Shanghi, Phillipines and Chicago during the end of World War II. USS Vesole DD/DDR 879. Upon his honorable discharge he went to telegraphers school for one year and upon his graduation he was hired with the Union Pacific Railroad. During his years with the railroad he learned many jobs during his 30 plus years of employment. He worked in Huntington for Wayne Grady pumping gas, driving the ambulance and wrecker and motel keeper. His railroad career took him to many towns before finally settling in La Grande where he became involved in the community.He became a volunteer firefighter in 1959, served on the street committee and 4th of July committee and helped with the Avenue of Flags. He was very active with the AARP and served as State Director, District Representative of Eastern Oregon, State Specialist, President of the local AARP and represented AARP every year at the county fair. He was also active with the Senior Center, Senior Inc and Senior Council and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a volunteer driver for the Disabled American Veterans bus. He was a life member and past commander of VFW Post 2990 in La Grande. He sold poppies every year for the VFW and rode in a WWII Army Jeep in all the local parades representing the VFW, AARP, Pearl Harbor. He also belonged to the Union Pacific Railroad Junior Old Timers and Old Timers Clubs and held the offices of Vice President and President in both clubs. He helped with the small train setup they used to bring to parades and helped in the BINGO booth at the fairgrounds. He was the Union Representative for BRAC for Eastern Oregon for telegraphers. He was a member of the NARVRE Unit #89. He also belonged to the Blue Mountain Fiddlers. He enjoyed bowling, auctions, yard sales, ceramics, classic country music, gospel music, doing copper tooling pictures and dancing. He also enjoyed spending time with family and pets, going fishing and mushroom picking. He was a CB'er, his handle being Big Doc. He played Santa Clause during the holidays.In 2011 he attended the American Lake Blind School for Veteran's in Tacoma where he learned many new skills and techniques. In 2012 he was taken by his nephew on a deep sea ocean fishing trip, which was one of his dreams and then he was chosen to go on a World War II Veteran Honor Flight to Washington DC in September 2013, which completed another of his dreams. In 1951 he married Grace Viergutz in La Grande and they had six children. She preceded him in death in September 2007. In may 2008 he married Wilma Morgan and she preceded him in death in 2013. He lived a very simple, complex, involved busy life of faith, wisdom, intelligence and generosity. He was a loving, caring family man with strong beliefs. He was taught a life lesson in the early 1950's when a person who handed over his paycheck to him in a time of need asking only in return that he pass the deed onto the next person in need.Survivors include his children, Billie Halliday of La Grande, Pam and Tim Willcoxon of La Grande, Randy and Cheryl Halliday of Provo, Utah, Lynn Halliday of La Grande and Marty Halliday of La Grande; five grandchildren, Cindy Willcoxon, Brian Willcoxon (Misty), Jennifer Horton (Scott), Crystal Stumph and Emily Halliday; seven great grandchildren, Taylor, Tyson, Alexis, Kristopher, Brittnay, Tristen and Grayson; nieces and nephews, Butch Joan, Don, Nikki, Shealyn and Laurie; dancing partner, Eula Reynolds and pets, Cody and Boomer. He was preceded in death by infant son, Winfield, grandson, Mark Willcoxon and brother, Clinton Halliday.Those who wish may make contributions to the Honor Flight Network; Honor Flight, Inc.
Attn: Diane Gresse, 300 E. Auburn Avenue, Springfield, OH 45505; Talking Book and Braille Services, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-3950; Senior Center, Transport Department, 2204 Penn Street, La Grande, OR 97850; or the charity of one's choice.

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