Stanley C. Howard a lifelong resident of Skagit County passed away Sunday, February 7, 2016 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 89. He was born at the old Burlington Hospital, Burlington, WA November 6, 1926.
He was raised in Lyman, WA and graduated from the old Lyman grade school in a class of 8 students; he was the only boy in the class. He graduated from Sedro Woolly High School, class of 1945 after returning from the Navy during WWII. During his time in the Navy he was assigned to the Navy destroyer; USS Lofberg (DD-759) and spent time in the Philippines, Japan and Pearl Harbor near the end of the war.
Upon his return from WWII while working at his parents restaurant; Howard’s Café on old Hwy 99 in Burlington he met Winona Willard. They were married on July 16, 1948 and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past July.
In 1947 he, along with his brother Lowell played football for the Skagit Valley Junior College under Coach Joe Murphy.
He worked for the Skagit County Engineering department from 1951 to 1964. He and Winona owned and operated Willard’s Greenhouse and Florist Shop on old Hwy 99 in Burlington WA (located where Burlington Outlet mall in currently located) from 1964 to 1979. After retirement from the greenhouse/florist business in 1979 he kept busy working various part time jobs.
He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, WA from 1947 until his passing. He was twice past worshipful master of the Burlington Masonic Lodge and a member for over 50 years. He was a member of the Burlington Kiwanis Club for over 50 years where he enjoyed the friendship of many members over the years.
He is survived by his wife, Winona; sons, Tom (Mary Jo) and Roger (Kathy); brother, Lowell (Virginia) Howard; grandchildren, AJ (Lisa) Howard, Sandy (Brad) Johnson, Bill (Kali) Howard; great grandchildren, Elyssah Howard, Albert J. (Chelan) Howard, Dylan Howard, Kaitlynn Howard, Henry Johnson, Charlie Johnson, James Howard, Jacob Howard; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Eric Stark and Dr. Bruce Mathey for their wonderful care of Stanley.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2:00PM at the First Baptist Church; 103 N 5th Street, Mount Vernon, WA. Visitation will be available on Wednesday from 12PM to 5PM and on Thursday and Friday from 9AM to 5PM. A private family burial will take place at the Burlington Cemetery.
