Wilford “Willie” Feller, at age 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 3, 2015, at 11:22 p.m. after a year and a half battle with cancer.
He was born on Jan. 3, 1945, in Everson to Luke and Dena Feller. He graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1963 and joined the National Guard shortly after, where he achieved the rank of Specialist 4. Willie attended Skagit Valley Community College where he met his future bride, Donna Vander Yacht. They were married shortly after 1968. Donna and Willie shared many adventures and treasured memories together, such as building a new house on Axling Road in 1977 and raising their two boys.
Willie worked for Hoksbergen Hay, Copeland Lumber and Contel Telephone and retired early from GTE in 1999. In his “retirement” Willie worked various jobs until fully retiring from DariTech in 2013. His hobbies included working in the woods, visiting with friends and helping his friends with odd jobs. He adored playing with his grandkids and polishing the various cars and trucks in his fleet of vehicles. He was best known for his warm smile and a cold beverage waiting for anyone that dropped by the shop. He had a very infectious laugh and was always up for a good prank.
Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Dena Feller; father Luke Feller; and step-mother Willie Feller.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Donna Feller; sons Clint (Jaime) Feller and Brent (Marlo) Feller; four grandsons Cameron, Drew, Hayden and Dakota; and his only granddaughter, Hanne, all from Lynden; sister Carolynn (Gary) Parish of Burien; brother Elvin (AnnaLee) Feller of Everson; his two nieces; one nephew; one grandniece; four grandnephews; and many friends he considered family.
Willie’s family thanks Dr. William Rubin and oncology nurses Neva, David, Dana, Kathy, Wendy and Jannette from the Bellingham Cancer Center for their loving care.
A memorial service honoring Willie will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2015, in First Christian Reformed Church, 1010 Front St., Lynden.
The family respectfully requests, in lieu of flowers or gifts, that donations be made to the Peace Health St. Joseph Cancer Center or toward cancer research. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
