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/}fISSION FENCE SUPPLV INC.
Thank
the good people, individuals and business entities of the redwood industry and the lumber industry at large.
You have provided us with our main education, our livelihood, our social life and entertainment in so many ways. Along with the International Fence Industry Association, you have opened doors, given us the opportunity to travel and do business across our country and in foreign lands.
The purpose of this letter isto reach allof you. The number of individuals we want to receive this message is too large to contact individually.
Some 35 plus years ago, I was a steamfitter and Leona was a housewife and mother. One day through an incident we found ourselves the proprietors of Charley's Fence Co., a fence contracting business that was broke. I had never bought a board or built a fence. Leona had never looked at a set of books. Neither of us had attended high school.
We did not seek out courses in business management. We went to work. The experts in the redwood industry gave us our education. We abandoned the contracting field in as short a time as feasibly possible.
Another incident involved us in Mission Fence Supply in Arcata, Ca., and we soon took control of it. This opened still more doors and generated additional business friends.
In 1978 we purchased T & R Lumber in Downey, Ca. This produced an additional redwood line and more business friends thus rounding out our redwood experience,
During this period we lost ourtwo sons, but being the nature we are, we doubled our efforts to make it all work.
We then began to plan caref ully to retire from the industry in an orderly fashion to pursue other interests. And we did accomplish much in this direction.
We set out in April, 1991, by auto to put in place the plans we had worked on all our lives. Leona became ill in Arkansas. When this became known tothe lumber industry, the response and support by what we referred to as our redwood family was far beyond our imagination.
According to Oregon Strand Board general manager Ken Kiest, "Saving time and labor costs is another reason for selecting Oregon Strand Board products. Lap siding offers a unique, easy to use tongue and groove milling which means panel ends do not have to meet on a stud and end joints do not require spacing."
"The architectural features of the rowhomes are attractive but complicated to build. This siding does go up faster so we're moving right along," said David Mullens, construction superintendent for the builder.
By the grace of God, Leona came home for a brief time to the house and the treasures that were her pride and joy. We allare aware of the uncertainty of events and our lives, but are never fully prepared.
During our 45 years of marriage and planning we were thankful for our good health and varied interests. Our family provided us with 200 years of accomplishments.
This letter was part of our plan for the day when we were relieved of our redwood business interests. While I must write this alone, I feel confident that it is in keeping with Leona's intent and wishes.
Sincerely yours,
K. C. "Abe" and Leona Willis*