WILBUR HOWARD ASH

November 1917 – November 2021

Wilbur Ash passed away on the morning of November 7th, 2021 in Sun City West, AZ at the remarkable age of 103, just 23 days before his 104th birthday which he was so looking forward to.  He was born on November 30, 1917 to Howard and Gladys (Lucus) Ash in Scottsbluff, NE, and grew up in Duff, Bassett, and Lyman, NE .  

In March of 1936 the entire family moved to Kennewick, WA where he graduated from Riverview High School the same year.  In 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He married Naomi Foraker in 1941, was commissioned Second Lieutenant QMC in 1942, and was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force for 37 months during WWII.  He was Quartermaster of the 8th Air Force Service Command and was promoted to Major in 1944.  He was awarded the Bronze Star as well as the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star for his organizational skills during the Rhineland campaign.  After his release from active duty, (and re-assignment to the reserves) in the Air Force in 1946 he worked for the Veterans Administration before deciding upon Banking as his career where he spent 34 years with National Bank of Commerce (now Bank of America) primarily in Quincy and Grandview, WA before retiring as an Assistant Vice President in 1985. 

He was very active in many service organizations that benefitted the local communities, especially the youth.  From 1997-1999 Wilbur & Naomi traveled full time in their RV seeing much of the U.S. and Canada before settling in Mill Creek, WA for 5 years and then finally returning to Kennewick. 

Naomi, the absolute love of his life, preceded him in death in 2016 having been married for nearly 75 years.  Wilbur spent his last few years living with his son Lowell in Sun City West, AZ enjoying the warm weather and being treated like a “rock star” by everyone who met him. Everyone was amazed at his mental acuity which stayed with him right up to his passing.

Through the years Wilbur enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, woodworking, hiking, travel, cooking, visiting with people, and above all else church & family. He believed that fairness, honesty, integrity, moral values, and ethical standards, when accompanied by patience, empathy and understanding, were the true measure of character.  And he successfully lived his life that way.

He had an outgoing personality with a pleasing attitude, and a rock solid sense of responsibility and devotion.  Everyone was his friend or was about to become so.

He is survived by his 4 children; Wayne (Cathy) Ash, Lowell Ash, Gary (Barb) Ash, and Laurel (Larry) Ash Hansen, 15 Grandchildren, and 15 Great Grandchildren.

A Memorial Service to Celebrate Wilbur’s life will be held at FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH on Olympia St. in  Kennewick, WA May 14th at 1:00pm.  All who knew Wilbur are encouraged to attend.  Friends may request a recording of the Service by email to Wilburash.memorial@gmail.com.

Dad, we love you and thank you for your love of family, your guiding hand, and values that you taught us by example.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/wilbur-ash/obituary/

Copy