Alton Cecil Willford

Celebrating the life of Tony Willford December 16, 1923 - April 28. 2019 At age 95 Tony still loved life, deeply loved his family that included Pat, his wife of 75 years, daughter, Becky and son, Tom (deceased), his close friends, and all those he might meet along life's pathway. His gifts were dependability, generosity, kindness, ambition, and a deep faith that sustained him in troubled times and rejoiced in the good. Homes he grew up in lacked electricity, running water and plumbing. Not until he lived in a boarding house in San Diego prior to joining the War effort did he experience such luxury. He was born in Winlaw, British Columbia, Canada to Effie Seamans Willford and Richard Edgar Willford, formerly of Sheridan, Wyo. Alton was the third of ten children, 3 siblings passing away in childhood. He graduated Gillette, Wyo. High School in 1941, was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps at Ft. Rosecrans, San Diego July 3, 1942. During his brief time in San Diego, he met his future wife, Pat Nickerson, on a blind date. A year later on August 31, 1943 they married in their Pastors home in La Mesa, Ca. War time meant separations. Pat returned home to her parents, working as a teller until his combat service was completed. He flew 35 missions as nose gunner on a B-24 Bomber out of Darwin, Australia from Dec. 1943 until Feb. 1945. At war's end, there was a new beginning, in San Diego, a tiny new home, in August 1946 a son, Thomas Clark, arrival of baby sister, Becky Ann joining the family in July 1952. A neighborhood filled with children in Fullerton, Ca. where both thrived, walked to schools, were active in their church, community activities, church camp, musicals, Jr. college, and lots of visiting relatives, we were that close to Disneyland! Our daughter followed her Dad and enjoyed a career in Banking, making him ever so proud of her. A banking career that spanned over 35 years, including completing his American Institute of Banking course which he taught for several years at Orange Coast college in Costa Mesa,Ca. night classes. I cannot recall him ever calling in sick that never made sense to him. He had his Private Pilot's license, was an active member of Civil Air Patrol in Ca. always on the Finance Committee for the Methodist churches in Fullerton and Escondido, Ca .as well as Bend. In Bend F.U.M.C. he enjoyed Greeting, cooking for Brunches. Church membership at Bend F.U.M.C. 36 years. Cross country skiing, golf, flying, and finding projects to build or repair, even an airplane or two. Shopping for fresh vegetables and fruit was his retirement recipe. He always had an agenda. He was one that could drop off to sleep for 20 minutes, be refreshed and ready to continue the day. Survivors include his wife, Pat, of Bend, daughter, Becky O'Brien of Dana Point, Ca., grandchildren, Chris Willford, Portland, Jason Willford Milwaukee,Or., Bethany Nelson.Snowhomish,Wa. ,Olivia O'Brien, Playa del ray, Ca. and great grandchildren, Jacob Willford of the U.S. Marine Corp, Zoe Willford and Sebastian Willford of Portland.Or. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, 680 NE Bond Street, Bend, Oregon 97701. Rather than flowers the family would appreciate gifts to Partners in Care, 2075 NE Wyatt, Bend, OR 9770l or Shriners Hospital for children, P.O. Box 1510 Ranson, WV 25438 Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to serve the family. 541-382-2471 Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Alton Cecil Willford

December 16, 1923 - April 28, 2019