Saturday, November 2, 2013 • Whidbey News-Times
Obituaries
Morrow
Bill Keith Morrow Sr.
Bill Keith Morrow Sr. passed away on Oct. 18, 2013 at his home in Oak Harbor surrounded by family and friends. He was born on July 22, 1926 in Point Pleasant, W. Va. to James and Mae Morrow. Bill grew up during the depression and was raised with the help of many family and friends, but spent most of his young years with his Pops and Grandma Morrow. Like most young men of his era, he joined the Navy on his 17th birthday to support the war effort. He served with VP-2 at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station from 1943 to 1946. Flying support missions up and down the west coast and in the Pacific. While on a 24-hour pass in 1944, he met Louella Ann Wells in Anacortes, Wash. They would marry and spend 64 years as husband and wife; experiencing the joys and heartaches of a long full life together raising three boys, building a home, running a business and experiencing the stability they never knew as children. Bill went to work with the civil service on NAS Whidbey in 1946 and worked as a letterer and grainer or what is commonly known as a sign painter until his retirement in 1981. He also owned his own business and painted most every sign on the Island until the early ‘90s. Bill took a two-year break from 19501952 as he was called back to Navy service for the Korean Conflict. Bill was a creative man who loved working with his
hands. He loved to paint, draw and carve wood. He built furniture for his family and friends, some of his specialties being roll top desks, grandfather clocks and whatever he found interesting. During his life he designed and built some 50 boats for himself and others as the water was the one place he found his greatest joy. In his later years, he loved buying and selling unique items and trips to the casino to see who he could chat up. He was a colorful character who loved a good four-letter word and liked to complain about things just to keep his blood pressure right. Now he is on his way to join his beloved wife Louella, or Momma as he called her and that’s a fitting ending to any life well lived. Bill is survived by his sons Bill Jr. and wife Maggie, Ed and Jim Morrow, of Oak Harbor; special niece Sharon Creech and husband Bobby, of Olympia, Wash.; special friends Wendy Morrow, Martha Sylvester and husband Chris, of Coupeville, Wash.; grandsons Justin Morrow, of Seattle; Travis Morrow, of Seattle; Jason Morrow, of Issaquah; Jared Morrow, of Oak Harbor; Jakob Giles, of Oak Harbor and James Barker Oak Harbor; granddaughters Charlene Bergstrom, of Woodland; and Korja Giles, of Olympia; his brother Michael Morrow and many other nieces, nephews and family friends.
McCracken
Elmer (Mac) McCracken Elmer (Mac) McCracken passed away suddenly with his family by his side at Skagit Valley Hospital on Oct. 19, 2013. Mac was born on Oct. 30, 1938 in Conway, Arkansas to Elmer and Louise McCracken. Mac enlisted in the Navy in 1957 in San Diego, Calif. He was married to the love of his life Phoebe (Penny) on Oct. 28, 1959 in Pasadena, Calif. Mac and Penny moved
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to Virginia where daughters Sharon and Linda were born. In 1964 they moved back to California where son, Troy was born. In his 20 years of military service Mac was sent to Vietnam twice where he survived an injury and also was shot down in his helicopter. After Vietnam, he was a Navy police officer and worked with Navy Survival, the Seawolfs and Seebees. In 1966 the family moved to Whidbey Island where he eventually retired. Mac was a long-time Boy Scout leader with Troop 59. He was very involved in Scouting activities. He also loved to take his family camping at Mount Baker. After retiring from the Navy, Mac worked for a short time as a police officer on Whidbey Island and then moved to the Tri Cities where he was employed as a security guard for Hanford. Moving back to the island, he found work as an EMT for Whidbey General Hospital, where he served as a union representative. After another retirement in the early ‘80s he and Penny sold everything and went traveling. They ended up in Deming, N.M., having fun in the sun and managing an RV park. After New Mexico, they moved to Deere Park, Wash. to be near their son until health issues had them moving back to Oak Harbor. The last 12 years you could always find Mac out in his scooter chair whistling his way around Oak Harbor. The town called him “The Whistler.” Mac leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years Penny, daughters Sharon (Dan ) Davis of Cave Creek, Ariz.; and Linda McCracken of Burlington, Wash. and son Troy McCracken of Oak Harbor. Also surviving are grandchildren Tony Rideout, Jessica Garrett, Joshua (Brittany) Garrett, Luke, Grace and Emma McCracken and one greatgrandson, Monty Rideout. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joann, in 1963, father in 1976 and mother in 2004. Our husband, father, and grandfather will be deeply missed. In keeping with his wishes, Mac was cremated. Celebration of Life services are pending. Arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. Friends and family are encourage to share memories and offer condolences at www.wallinfuneral home.com
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allin Funeral Home & Cremation
1811 NE 16th Ave Oak Harbor, WA 360-675-3447
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Rothwell
James Gideon Rothwell, Lt. Cmdr., USN (Ret)
James Gideon Rothwell passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 on Whidbey Island at the age of 88. Jim was born in Los Angeles, Calif. on May 1, 1925. He lived in Los Angeles through his early years, graduating from Loyola High School in 1943. Jim enlisted in the Navy, joining the V-7 officers training program. He studied at various universities and schools while in the program, including some time at Carroll College in Montana and the University of Washington. Jim was commissioned in 1945 and, later that year, met his bride to be, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Wehrle at a Christmas party held at Columbia University. Betty and Jim were married on
March 23, 1946. His first tour of duty was aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. He later served on a number of U.S. Navy ships including the USS Duluth and the USS Pasadena, both light cruisers as well as the USS LST1123, the USS Guadalupe, and the USS Belle Grove. In addition, he served in the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Tokyo from 1957-1959. He finished his career at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif. Jim and Betty traveled extensively, living in Coronado, Guam, Monterey, Concord, Japan, and again in Coronado. Along the way they raised a daughter, Diane and a son, Jim. Once retired from the Navy, Jim began a second career as a science and math teacher at Coronado Junior High School. Jim subsequently worked for a time as purchasing manager for a tuna fleet. He and Betty also lived in Roswell, N.M., enjoying their daughter Diane and her family, later returning to Coronado, where he became a realtor. After 51 years together, Betty passed away in 1997. Jim remained in Coronado and subsequently met and married Dana Adler. They moved to Oak Harbor in 2000. Jim was known as “Papa” to his grandchildren and step-granddaughters. They, along with other family members and friends, will miss him greatly. His grandchildren
are raising families in Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Sydney, Australia, so his legacy lives on around the globe. All will miss Papa, but we will cherish the good memories of his multi-faceted life. Jim is survived by son Jim (Sally) Rothwell, sonin-law Jim Childress and step-daughter Lisa (Nick) Massman. Also sur viving are grandchildren Keith (Jill) Childress, David (Brandy) Childress, Josie Rothwell (Ralph Butter wor th), Kimberly Rothwell (Graham Smith), and Amber Rothwell (Robert Scott Wildes), Tanya Taylor and Libby and Molly Massman. Six greatgrandchildren also survive. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Dana, in 2002 and daughter Diane in 2012. Committal services with full military honors will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www. woundedwarriorproject.org Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor,. Family and friends are invited to share memories and offer condolences in the Book of Memories on their website at www.wallinfuner alhome.com
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allin Funeral Home & Cremation
1811 NE 16th Ave Oak Harbor, WA 360-675-3447
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR INTRODUCTION OF P-8A INTO THE U.S. NAVY FLEET The Navy invites you to an open house public meeting for the Introduction of the P-8A into the U.S. Navy Fleet. The Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meeting for the Draft SEIS for the Introduction of the P-8A were published in the Federal Register on September 20, 2013. Due to the Federal government shutdown, the Navy postponed the open house public meetings originally scheduled for October 2013. The open house public meetings have been rescheduled and the public comment period has been extended from November 4, 2013 to December 2, 2013. The open house public meetings have been rescheduled on the following dates and locations: Thursday, November 7, 2013 Jacksonville, Florida Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Orange Park
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Whidbey Island, Washington North Whidbey Middle School
620 Wells Road, Orange Park, FL 32073
67 NE Izett Street, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Please plan to attend an open house public meeting scheduled in your area at your convenience between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The open house public meeting provides you with an opportunity to review project information, speak one-on-one with project representatives and submit written or oral comments. If you are unable to attend a meeting scheduled in your area, please visit the project website at www.mmaseis.com to learn more about the project, download a copy of the Draft SEIS and review informational materials prepared for the open house public meeting. Comments must be postmarked or received (on-line) by December 2, 2013 to ensure consideration in the Final SEIS. Written comments may be submitted on-line at the project website or mailed to: P-8A EIS Project Manager Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic, Attn: Code EV21.CZ 6506 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23508