ARTHUR RICHARD SYMONDS, 84, a brief resident of the Sedro-Woolley area, passed away on Wednesday February 18, 2004 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
He was born on November 18, 1919 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, one of eleven children of William and Millie Sinner Symonds.
In 1921 the family moved from Canada to the U.S., settling in Anacortes, WA where Arthur was raised and attended school. During WW II Arthur served in the U.S. Army. While on a brief leave from the Army, Arthur was united in marriage to Bernadine Lamie in Mount Vernon, WA on December 10, 1943. When he returned from the service they made their home briefly in Anacortes and Kelso, WA, finally settling in Woodland, WA. For over 30 years Arthur worked as a lineman for the Cowlitz County Public Utility District.
He was a longtime member of the V.F.W., Post 1927 in Woodland.
He enjoyed camping and especially being around his grandchildren.
Arthur was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Bernadine, in 1996; his parents, 4 brothers and 3 sisters.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, Angie & Paul Wilkerson of Sedro-Woolley, Willis & Catherine Symonds of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Terry & Phyllis Symonds of Woodland, WA, Rhonda & Mitch Willis of Centralia, WA and Bernie & Lori Symonds of Kalama, WA. 16 grandchildren, Katie & Kelsey Wilkerson, Ryan, William, Shirley, and Luncia Symonds, Jenny Lynn, Raymond, and Melissa Symonds, Joel Kambich, Heidi, Sean, & Jordan Symonds, Thomas & Nathan Foster and Chris Siegrist. 3 great-grandchildren, Hanna & Morgan Symonds and Teagan Foster.
1 brother, Walter Symonds and his wife Margaret of Anacortes. 2 sisters, Bessie Moran of Everett and Vi Michaels of Edmonds, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorials to the American Red Cross are suggested.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Philip Catholic Church in Woodland on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. with celebrant Fr. Jerry Woodman.
A Life Celebration will be held at the Summit Park Grange in Anacortes on Saturday February 28, 2004 at 1:00 PM. A fellowship will follow services. Private inurnment will be at Fernhill Cemetery in Anacortes. Cremation arrangements under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Arthur and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com