The Goldendale Sentinel Obituary Vol. 134. No. 11

Obituary of Ross Burton Wilkins

"Ross Burton Wilkins passed away peacefully with his family at his side at 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.

Born on April 15, 1920 in Miltonvale, KS to Webster Burton Wilkins and Amy D. (Eckert) Wilkins. After Jr. high he moved with his family to Vernonia, OR where he completed high school. After high school Ross worked in forestry and he met and married his first wife June and they had a son, Lyle Wilkins in 1943.

Ross enlisted with the Merchant Marines in June of 1943. After returning from the war Ross held jobs in forestry including driving a logging truck until he began working as a lineman for PP&L where he helped to install and complete power line service in Eastern Oregon.

While working construction in Condon, OR Ross met and married his soulmate Joyce Elaine Ihrig on April 9, 1948. Together they had five children; Karen, Janice, Theresa, Steve and Darren.

In the early years of their marriage they travelled around OR and WA for his job with PP&L. Ross found employment with Klickitat County PUD. Because he moved around a lot as a child it was important for him to raise his family in one place so the family settled in Goldendale, WA. Joyce and Ross lived and worked in Goldendale where eventually they became theater owners and ran Joyce’s diner. He and Joyce were married for 54 years before Joyce passed away on June 25, 2003.

After his wife’s death Ross moved to The Dalles, OR where he spent the remainder of his years.

Ross was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joyce and his grandsons Cameron and Ricky Wilkins.

Ross is survived by his six children, 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

Ross was a kind, loving, family centered man who will be missed dearly by all who loved him. May he rest in peace.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, March 9 at Spring Creek Cemetery in Goldendale. Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel handled arrangements."