Harold Joseph Harkness, 86, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, May 8, 2007.
He was born on July 13, 1920 in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Ernest & Carrie Beach Harkness. In 1928 the family moved to Washington, living briefly in Bayview until settling near Sedro-Woolley. Harold attended grade school at Samish and high school in Sedro-Woolley, graduating with the class of 1940. He then worked at Boeing, manufacturing airplanes until enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during WW II. He was stationed in England where he was a ball turret gunner on B-17’s where he was involved in many sorties and air confrontations. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart while serving his country.
After his discharge in 1945 he returned to the Skagit Valley where he worked as a logger for awhile and then as building maintenance staff at the Sedro-Woolley Post Office for 25 years, retiring in 1977.
Harold was first united in marriage to Dorothy A. Dills and her 5 children in Sedro-Woolley on October 4, 1958, and she and a daughter, Debbie were tragically killed in a car accident in Nebraska in 1965. After he had raised his family, he once again found love in Pauline Eldridge and they were married in Sedro-Woolley on December 6, 1974. After his retirement in 1977 they made their home in New Mexico for many years, moving briefly to Alaska in 2006 and returning to Sedro-Woolley in February 2007.
Harold enjoyed fishing, especially his trips to Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline at the family home in Sedro-Woolley. His children, Dorothy Priest of Phoenix, AZ, Richard Dills of Big Lake, Brenda Henry Kent, Mike Dills Linda and Terry Hamilton Randy all of Sedro-Woolley, Patricia Crawford of Mount Vernon, Lenora Scott Winfield and Wilma Roskelley Robert of Anchorage, AK and June Ellis Arthur and Dena Paulson of Seattle. Also numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister.
The family suggest that memorials be made to Skagit Hospice, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
Funeral services will be held at Lemley Chapel on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Ray Adams of The Church of God officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Visitation is available at and services under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.