John Richard Westby, 90, of Chehalis, Wash., passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, in Centralia, Wash. The first born of Ragnvald and Hilma (Thorson) Westby, Oct. 16, 1926, in Los Angeles, Cailf.
He married Colleen Mueller July 13, 1946, in Orting, Wash. Together, they raised four children, Mike, Ted, Dave and Lisa.
John enlisted in the United States Navy’s V-12 program in 1944. When he returned home from the Navy, he began his first dairy farm at the Washington Soldiers Home and Colony in Orting. His work resume included dairy farmer (Orting and Adna), truck driver, shoe store manager, car sales manager, rubber plant worker, construction worker, head of maintenance for Adna School District and all-around handy man for SO many friends and family. John was always willing to learn something new and use what he learned for the next challenge.
After his retirement from Adna Schools, he enjoyed his three month RV trip around the USA with Colleen. Retirement for John included construction and maintenance jobs for his son, Dave. He traveled to Austria twice to assist with maintenance at the facility that his daughter, Lisa and husband, Jerry managed. John and Colleen traveled to many European countries. One highlight was a cruise to Norway with some of his family members, celebrating his Norwegian heritage.
He loved to play golf, especially at Riverside Golf Course in Chehalis. He played in Scotland at St. Andrews with his son, Mike, in Kauai with his son, Ted and in Indiana and Colorado with his son-in-law, Jerry.
School reunions were highlights for John, both his Steilacoom eighth grade class and the Orting High School alumni banquet. Since his graduation in 1944, he missed very few alumni banquets and encouraged others from near and far to join him for these events.
John served the Twin Cities Sertoma Club as president and Sertoma International as district governor. At the time of his death, he served as vice-chairman of the board of directors for greater Lewis County Habitat for Humanity. There, John used all of his knowledge to oversee the building of many homes in Lewis County. His interest in this work continued far after he could no longer actively participate with the builds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ragnvald and Hilma; wife, Colleen (Mueller) in 2013; brothers, Dean and Roald; and sister, Sondra.
John is survived by his children, Mike (Sue) Westby of Poulsbo, Wash., Ted (Shelly) Westby of Winlock, Dave (Carrie) Westby of Hoquiam and Lisa (Jerry) Telford of Indianapolis, Ind.; brothers-in-law, Philip Parker, Gerald (Maggie) Mueller and Fred (Sharon) Mueller; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, June 11, 2017, at Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold St., Centralia, Wash., with a reception following. An inurnment will be held Monday, June 12, 2017, at 1 p.m., at Claquato Cemetery, 142 Stearns Rd., Chehalis, Wash.
Memorials may be given to either Twin Cities Sertoma Club or Greater Lewis County Habitat for Humanity.
Condolences may be offered at www.brownmortuaryservice.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Mortuary Service, 229 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA 98532. 360-748-4496.
Condolences may be offered at www.brownmortuary.com
