Doris Wiley Hamilton White, a longtime resident of Chehalis, passed away Sept. 26, 2019, with loved ones at her side. She was born Nov. 24, 1920, in Seattle, Wash., to Howard and Erica (Erickson) Wiley, and moved as a child with her family to Chehalis from Friday Harbor, Wash.
Doris attended Chehalis schools, graduating from Chehalis High School in 1938. In 1941, she married Norman Hamilton and they had 45 wonderful years enjoying their small farm and their second home on Mayfield Lake. Norman passed away in 1986. In 1954 she started working at First Federal Savings & Loan of Chehalis (later known as Evergreen Savings) in the bookkeeping department and advancing to vice president and executive secretary, retiring in 1984. In 1988, she married Keith White of Chehalis with whom she enjoyed several years of traveling before he passed away in 2002. Doris was a long time member of the First Christian Church of Chehalis and in her younger years was very active in the church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Erica Wiley; brother, Hugh Wiley; sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Wiley; a step-grandson, Richard White; and step-daughter-in-law, Ann White.
Doris is survived by her step-son, Jeff White of Oklahoma; step-daughter, Janet Williams of Washington; and step-granddaughter, Kathy Williams of California. She is also survived by her very loving and special friends that became her family as well, Leo (and the late Mary) Rakoz of Chehalis and Diane (and the late Steve) Rasmusson of Chehalis. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A private burial will be held at the Mausoleum at Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis, Wash.
From Doris’ family and adopted families; Doris was one of the most organized and independent people we have ever known right up to taking care of her final arrangements including her picture and writing her own obituary. She also quietly supported her community in so many ways including her church, nonprofit foundations and other organizations. Doris set the example in her banking career with practicing confidentiality for the customer and the bank. She was a mentor to her fellow employees and customers (and all of us family members). Doris always focused on what was right and just, and everyone we knew loved and respected her.Thank you to her Chehalis West family for their awesome care of Doris for the last four years. You are at the top in providing the best for your residents. Thank you to Assured Hospice for your support in the last few months to Doris, Chehalis West and the rest of us.
There will be a visitation at Brown Mortuary, Chehalis, Wash., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. An open house celebration of life will be held Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Chehalis West Dining Room, 478 NW Quincy Pl., Chehalis, Wash. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Chehalis Foundation Scholarships, c/o Linda Smith, 872 SE Evergreen Dr, Chehalis, WA, 98532, or a charity of your choice.
