Percy Wilford Cecil

Percy Wilford Cecil, 87, of La Grande, died March 19. A viewing will run from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A casual dress (Western attire) celebration of life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. in Heppner where he will be buried next to his wife, Emma.

Percy was born Aug. 4, 1922, to Ralph and Ruby (Dennison) Cecil in Fossil. Percy spent most of his early life in Spray. He attended school through the eighth grade and then spent time helping his father with ranch and farm work. He spent three summers out in the mountains herding sheep. He remembered reading the first edition of Western Horseman magazine while out at sheep camp.

He joined the Army in 1942 and spent time in Hawaii and the Phillipines. He was discharged in 1945.

He married Dorothy Darlene Jones Sept. 11, 1947. They had one daughter, Kay.

He later divorced and in 1962, he married Emma White. They lived on a ranch outside of Heppner. Emma preceded Percy in death in 1970.

In 1986, Percy moved to

La Grande to be closer to his daughter, Kay Braseth, and his special friend, Jo Huston.

He loved riding horses and when it became impossible for Kay to help him get on his horse, they resorted to going for drives and looking at the various livestock in the valley, especially the buffalo at the Monticola Ranch. The past year and a half, Percy lived at Wildflower Lodge where he enjoyed having his saddle on display in his room and watching old Westerns. Those who knew him say he was a cowboy at heart.

Percy is survived by his daughter, Kay, and her husband, Craig Braseth; six grandchildren; seven great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; three brothers and one sister, Vernon Cecil and his wife, Lavelle, of La Grande, Darrell Cecil of Pendleton, Frank Cecil and his wife, Melba, of Spray, and Geraldine Moore of Pendleton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Percy was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Prince; second wife, Emma Cecil; special friend, Jo Huston; nephew, Gordon Cecil; and parents, Ralph and Ruby Cecil.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Friday Backpack program in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel.

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