SEATTLE, Wash. A funeral service was held for Willard J. Mathis Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, followed by a private cremation.

Willard, 65, of Irrigon died Saturday, Feb. 10, at Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. He was born on Dec. 20, 1934, in Wyandotte, Okla., and married on Nov. 22, 1952, to Faith Ann Lind. They traveled throughout the United States and settled in Irrigon.

Willard Mathis was a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved fishing, frogging, hunting and gardening. He had a generous heart. He enjoyed helping others. You could find him giving away produce, berries, fish, etc. to others.

He held various jobs throughout his life. He worked on the railroad, and he has been a truck driver, logger, maintenance person and iron worker. He had been an iron worker since 1954. He helped build power plants and dams, including Loon Lake, Ice Harbor, Glen Canyon, Swift Creek, Grand Coulee and Oroville. He worked the last 20 years at McNary Dam for the Corps of Engineers.

Willard is survived by his son, Randy J. Mathis of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Bonnie Lloyd of Orangevale, Calif.; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters, Genevieve Fields and Lee Warfield, both of Umatilla, Violet Hall of Harrison, Ark., Claudette Hall of Portland, and Sue Owens of Albuquerque, N.M.; brothers, Floyd Mathis of Oakdale, Calif., and Earl Mathis of Fairland, Okla.; and other various family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years; his parents Claud and Nellie Mathis; brother Claud Mathis Jr.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston was in charge of the arrangements.