Raymond DeFord

Raymond DeFord,99 of Wolverton, MN died Thursday, August 19, 2010      at St. Francis Health Care Campus in Breckenridge, MN. The funeral is Tuesday August 24 at 11:00 am. at Eagle Valley Evangelical Free Church of Rural Christine, ND. Officiating is Reverend James Johnson. Visitation is one hour prior to the funeral from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Interment will be in Dayton Cemetery,Dayton, Washington.

Raymond was born on February 28, 1911 to Silas and Ora Mae (Moyer) DeFord at Grangeville, Idaho. Because his family moved frequently, Ray attended several different schools through the 8 ^th grade. He worked at Erbs Apple Orchard in Dayton, WA then worked on the “Manhatten Project” in construction in Hanford, WA.

On August 20, 1936 in Dayton, WA, Raymond was united in marriage to Willabelle Mary MacPherson. They made their home in Richland, WA where they raised their 4 children. For the next 32 years Raymond remained working at Hanford transporting workers to their job sites. He retired in 1976.

Raymond was a charter member of the Richland Assembly of God Church of Richland, WA. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and spending time at his cabin near Dayton, WA. Willabelle preceded him on October 1, 2004.

Raymond is survived by his daughters Colleen (LeRoy) Betz of Wolverton, MN;           Donna Deford of Monroe, WA; his sons Richard (Barbara) DeFord of Springfield, MO; Henry (Janine) DeFord of Benton City, WA; 15 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Raymond is preceded by his wife Willabelle; his parents, Silas and Ora Mae DeFord; 4 brothers, Clarence, Leo, Hartley and Joe; and 2 sisters, Rosie DeFord, Josephine Dawson