Joe Willard Shiflett

Joe W. "Bud" Shiflett October 22, 1917 ~ April 12, 2012 Dad laid down to rest and woke up in the arms of the Lord on Thursday, April 12, 2012. Bud was born in Wenatchee on October 22, 1917, to parents, Joel and Fern Shiflett. Dad spent most of his younger years on Badger Mountain and Wheeler Hill. He married the love of his life, Edna C. Johnson, on July 2, 1938. Dad loved to tell this story of their marriage and honeymoon. They were married in the home of a Lutheran minister and right after Dad and Mom said "I Do," the clock on the wall rang out, "Cuckoo, Cuckoo." The folks climbed into the rumble seat of an old Model A car and left with two couples heading for a weekend in Spokane. Because there was car trouble on the way, they were up all night, before finally making it to Spokane. It was a short honeymoon, as they had to head back to Wenatchee to get to work the next day. Later, they had a good laugh about their experiences. Dad and Mom had 73 wonderful years together. Bud worked for the Great Northern Railroad for a time and then went on to become a logger, working on the Colockum and Tarpiscan, as well as other parts of the country for 14 years, until the lumber mill was sold. He went to work for the City of Wenatchee as an Operator in the Pumping Plant of the Water Department, retiring in 1981, after 21 and a half years of service. Dad and Mom spent part of the year traveling all over the country in their RV, just holding hands wherever they went and enjoying life together. Over the years, you would find them together, either hunting, fishing or at a dance sharing good times with their many friends. His hobby was woodworking and he made very special birdhouses, which there were family drawings for at Christmas time each year. Dad loved to be around his family and had a gift of telling a story that would usually keep you in stitches the whole time. He was a devoted husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and will be deeply missed by his family. Bud is survived by his wife, Edna; two sons, Joel (Sharlyn) Shiflett of East Wenatchee and David (Connie) Shiflett of Wenatchee; his brothers, Clifford Shiflett of Wenatchee, Richard (Wil'Lena) Shiflett of Omak, Dan (Elaine) Shiflett of Okanogan and Nathan (Sandy) Shiflett of Republic; one sister, Carol Samse of Okanogan; brothers-in-law, Arthur Johnson of Seattle and Edward (Darlene) Johnson of East Wenatchee; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Little of East Wenatchee and Betty Johnson of Airway Heights. He leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren, plus nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Helena Shiflett; sister, Helen Maitland; brother, Harold Shiflett; sisters-in-law, Helen Shiflett and Alice Nelson; and brothers-in-law, Roger Samse, Arvid (Mina) Johnson, Martin (Vicky) Johnson and Karl Johnson. A Graveside Service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 10:30 am. Viewing will be Wednesday, April 18, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Central Washington Hospital Hospice. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.