William Lewis Ash

William Lewis Ash, 95 of La Grande, died June 26. A graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Cove Cemetery.

Mr. Ash was born Nov. 9, 1910, to Ulysses Yaudes and Eve Belle Mayes Ash in Riddle. He was raised on a farm and attended a trade school in Los Angeles to learn to be an electrician. He loved gardening and worked on the Becker farm in lower Cove. On June 16, 1947 he married Marie Kight in Cove. They lived on a 10 acre farm on the cove road outside of Union.

He worked at the mill in Union, the state highway department and then Boise Cascade in La Grande. He retired from Boise Cascade in December 1973. He was the oldest retiree from Boise Cascade.

When he wasn't working he enjoyed his gardens and flowers. His family said he could plant almost anything and it would grow. They said he worked hard at going the extra mile in his life. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Survivors include children and their spouses, Robert an Rose Marie Reese, and Frank and Helen Blake, all of La Grande, Shirley Hinojos of Portland and Larry and Shirley Ash of Union; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a sister, Helen of Central Point. His wife died in 2001.

Memorials may be made to the LDS Genealogy Library.