Walking On -- Wilbur Norman Haller

Wilbur Norman Haller

Aug. 18, 1925 – Oct. 17, 2017

Tribal Elder Wilbur Norman Haller went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, at the age of 92. After a short struggle with kidney disease, he passed away at his home in Kennewick, Wash., surrounded by his family.

Wilbur was born in Blaine, Wash., on Aug. 18, 1925, the son of Adeline Elvina Menard and Wilbur Daniel Haller.

Wilbur was married to Sally June Haller in Reno, Nev., in 1950, his loving wife of 63 years.

Wilbur is lovingly remembered by his children, Linda Murphy, Daniel Haller, David Haller, Patricia Albertson, Michael Haller and Robyn Haller. He also is greatly loved by 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Wilbur’s family includes many nephews and nieces, and the following brothers and sisters who loved him very much: Carol Gleason, Delores Knight, Hazel Porter, Donald Haller, Edward Haller, Harvey Haller, Kenneth Haller and Robert Haller. Brothers and sisters who preceded him in death were twin girls who died at birth, Doris and Dorothy, and Nellie Haller, Phyllis Cureton, Daniel Haller, Jim Haller, John Haller, Harold Haller, Harry Haller, Agnes Haller, Charles Haller, Geneva Hansaker, Marion Davidson and Betty Garrett.

Wilbur was a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. He attended high school in Redding, Calif. He was inducted into the Navy in 1943 and served as a radar man aboard an amphibious LCT landing craft during World War II. He was a proud member of Laborers’ Local 348 and he worked on many dams throughout the western United States and at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation until he retired in 1987.

Wilbur enjoyed reading, hunting, gardening, metal detecting and visiting with family and friends. He loved to share stories of his life growing up with his large family during the Great Depression, stories of his military service in Europe, the South Pacific and Asia during World War II, and stories of his many years working construction with his brothers.

Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at Mueller’s Chapel of the Falls, 314 W. 1^st Ave., Kennewick, Wash., and the funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. with Kenneth Haller and Victor Cureton officiating. Burial will follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, 1401 S. Union, Kennewick.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, visit the Sympathy Store at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.